The 14 potential jurors who have thus far been retained (pending strikes before final jury is seated):
- 1340
- 1398
- 1019
- 1055
- 1319
- 1429
- 1025
- 1007
- 3308
- 3015
- 3185
- 3310
- 3016
- 3140
Court resumes with Judge Perry asking if parties are okay with his reading the charges instead of the full indictment to the 30 new potential jurors (they are there for other cases in Pinellas County, and the judge got permission to pull from this pool). He says he won't shortchange anyone; this is just to weed out hardship.
The new batch of potential jurors is sworn and brought before Judge Perry. He will address them as a group.
Judge introduces himself and the parties. Baez introduces Anthony. None of the jurors indicate they know any of the attorneys.
The judge says there's no duty more sacred to our constitution than jury service, except for military service. Judge tells jurors he will ask them about hardships. The ones remaining will report back tomorrow for additional questioning.
The judge reads an abbreviated version of the indictment. Judge explains there will be two phases of trial (guilt and penalty). He reads the jury instruction regarding presumption of innocence, burden of proof and reasonable doubt. Judge lists the rules potential jurors must follow after the leave court.
Judge Perry polls each juror to ask whether serving would be a hardship for them. Most are excused for hardship. The judge is now polling the remainder to see whether they've heard of the case in the media and whether they've formed opinion of guilt. Nine jurors out of 29 make it to the next round. They're sent out and admonished not to discuss the case or watch coverage. There was an elderly atty in the jury pool who didn't show up. The judge is issuing a show-cause order for him to appear and explain himself.
Now back to the jurors who were already scheduled for last round of screening today.
Juror #3093 is first. She heard of the case when it broke, but isn't interested in news very much; more of a sports fan. Any time anyone mentioned it, she broke off, wasn't interested. Has not formed an opinion of guilt. She can set aside the little she's heard and judge based solely on evidence and law. Has not formed opinion of guilt.
State has no questions. Baez for the defense. Juror gets her news via channel-flipping occasionally. Prefers History channel, craft channels. She's a weaver and spinner, does lots of crafts. That's all by Baez.
The judge now talks to the juror about the death penalty. Juror does not have a strong opinion about the death penalty. Juror says she can vote for death penalty if warranted; same for LWOP.
No questions from state. Finnell for defense. Goes over the DP vs. LWOP, aggravating/mitigating, etc. Juror agrees to hold state to its burden of proof; agrees to follow law and judge's instructions. Juror will consider mitigating factors.
Judge asks juror to step outside. He says the attorney-juror who was AWOL earlier misunderstood and thought he was excused. He is officially excused now. Judge calls 5 min recess. Two jurors left after general voir dire with the current concludes.
General voir dire by the state by Linda Drane Burdick. Juror is 48, married for 28 years, 2 sons (25 & 22 yrs old); husband unemployed. She is a surgical tech. Oldest son lives at home, works at American Eagle. Oldest son is going into military as 2nd Lieutenant. Was juror many years ago in a civil suit. She enjoys baseball and hockey, makes yarn/weaves.
Baez for defense. After misunderstanding initially what Baez was asking her, juror says she can set aside what she knows and judge fairly. He's going over charges, presumption of innocence, burden of proof, reasonable doubt, conflict in testimony, etc. Juror understands and agrees to follow law, judge's instructions.
No challenges. She becomes the 15th juror retained.
No comments:
Post a Comment