***Refresh page to see newest updates -- blogging as we go.***
The judge is back on the stand and the next potential juror is called in.
Juror #3016 is called in. He has heeded the judge's admonitions. Saw some early coverage of case, but doesn't recall a lot of specifics. He is a teacher and says there was talk in the teacher's lounge of the case. Most believe Anthony to be guilty. He says he has formed an opinion of guilt as well, but tells the judge he can set it aside in judging Anthony.
Frank George for the state. Juror says he recalls just what he'd told the judge, no specifics, really. Coverage he saw was before Caylee was found. Does not watch Nancy Grace, etc.
Baez for the defense. He asks how juror can set aside his opinion. As teacher, sometimes other teachers will badmouth kids. When they come to his class, he gives them a clean slate and forms his own opinion.
Judge discusses death penalty. Juror says he does not have an opinion about the death penalty, no situations in which he thinks it should automatically be used. The juror understands mitigating/aggravating factors and how they should be applied in penalty phase. As questioning progresses, juror says he could not vote for DP, that it would be very difficult. Judge asks if he can consider it and not automatically say no. He says he guesses he can. He then says he would do as instructed and consider it in the context of judge's instructions.
Neither state nor defense questions the juror on the DP issue.
Frank George asks about family/close friends in LE. Juror says he needs to amend questionnaire to include his uncle is retired FBI. Says that won't affect him for this case, will not give greater weight to testimony of LE.
Juror teaches PE/Health to 10th graders (this is his 15th year doing so). Siblings have young kids, but juror has never had them in his care. Has to dogs -- labs. No experience with SAR dogs. He is working on his master's degree online (special ed).
Baez goes over legal concepts with juror -- reasonable doubt, burden of proof, presumption of innocence, elements of a crime, conflicting evidence, right of defendant not to testify. Juror agrees he can follow the court's instruction in regard to these concepts.
Neither side challenges. Juror #3016 becomes the 13th retained. Brief recess, then on to the nine jurors left to screen.
Judge had remarks about swearing in juror. Will update that at next break.
Juror #3140 is being screened now. She's heard very little. Doesn't watch news, doesn't have cable TV, "definitely not into the computer." Juror says she has no problem presuming Anthony innocent. Juror has no opinion of Anthony's guilt or innocence. Neither side has questions for her on this issue.
Judge Perry talks with juror about the death penalty. She has no strong opinion one way or the other about DP. Judge goes over mitigating/aggravating factors and how to apply them in the penalty phase. Juror agrees that she can vote DP if warranted (ditto for LWOP).
Ann Finnell for the defense. Explains the phases of trial and that if they reach penalty phase, only two possibilities -- death penalty or life without parole. On scale of 1-10, juror says she is "the highest number, 10" for death penalty. She will consider mercy; can consider age, character & background as mitigating factor. Juror had to adjust mic since hearing aids were causing feedback.
General voir dire now. Ashton for state. Juror married 15 yrs. Two adopted children from first marriage (son, 33 and daughter 28). She has worked at Publix as a cook for 15 yrs. She is a HS graduate, enjoys arts & crafts, including quilting. No experience with LE/SAR dogs.
Mason questions for the defense. Mentions her hearing aids (he wears them, too). She tells Mason she can embrace the concepts of presumption and so forth that judge explained. Asked who she is, she says she's an old-fashioned lady who enjoys being around others; kids think she's a great mom. Has one grandson, age 2 (in TN). Cameras and media associated with case don't concern her.
No challenges. She becomes the 14th retained juror.
***The judge says there is 1 more juror scheduled for this morning, but he will hold that one over til after lunch, when there are 3 more scheduled. In addition, he says there are 3 on standby who can be called in.
The judge will swear in the first 12 on the panel (pending strikes) tomorrow at 3:00 pm. There is a new group of jurors the court can use for this case. Judge wants to ask them as a group about hardship issues to save some time. Asks attorneys what they want to do about that and allows them brief recess to talk it over. After speaking off-mic with attorneys, the judge calls lunch recess til 1:30.
No comments:
Post a Comment