***Refresh page to see newest updates -- blogging as we go.***
Court has resumed after the lunch recess.
Juror #4191 says that the opinion of others that Anthony is guilty have influenced him and caused him to believe she is guilty as well. He said if he were to serve as juror, he is 100% certain he could set it aside.
LDB for the state (pretrial publicity voir dire). Hold everything -- I believe juror just said he heard others discussing the case IN THE JURY ROOM. Hopefully, I misheard. We'll see once defense gets their turn, I'm sure. Juror tells LDB that the sheer number of negative opinions is what influenced his own opinion of guilt.
Baez for defense. Juror says he might be interested in watching trial on TV, but making decision would be difficult. He says judging guilt would be no problem, but judging punishment would be.
About the jury room -- he said there were two or three groups talking about it in different areas. They were discussing opinions on the person, none of it positive...all negative.
(I thought this would be a big problem for the jury as a whole, but Judge Perry is continuing on, so I'm guessing the don't-discuss rule had not yet been invoked at time he heard these discussions. I hope!).
Juror understands the concepts Judge Perry explains in DP voir dire, including how to weigh aggravating/mitigating circumstances. Juror says he is against the death penalty for religious reasons. Says it would influence his decision in finding her guilty (for fear she might get DP). Excused.
Juror #4156 up for screening now. She says she can't imagine a mother waiting 31 days to report her child missing. Says she cannot say whether she can be fair and impartial. Excused.
Juror #4023 is next. She feels her emotions would keep her from being fair and impartial. She is excused as well.
Juror #4192 is next. He says it would not be any sort of hardship on him to serve. Since 2008 heard mention only on radio of the case (that it was coming to Pinellas for jury selection; that a juror had FB issues last week). Has not discussed case or heard others discuss it. No opinion of guilt.
Neither side has pretrial publicity questions, so on to DP voir dire. Juror believes DP should apply in certain cases, rape being one of them (at least I think that's what he meant). Juror agrees he can vote for DP if warranted or LWOP if warranted. Understands how to weigh and apply mitigating/aggravating factors.
No questions from the state on DP. Finnell for defense. Here comes the cart & horse. Between Finnell and the judge, I never want to hear that phrase again. ;) Finnell asks about his comment regarding DP for rape. Juror didn't know rape could not be punished by DP, he said.
(My guess is defense ultimately will not want him -- if he is for DP for rape, probably very for it for murder of a child.)
Juror agrees to consider mitigation and follow instruction and law in making decisions about penalty.
Drane Burdick on general voir dire for state. Juror is 25, single, no kids. He has been accused of a crime (drug paraphernalia and possession). Probation on one, other went away. Probation long since ended. Has visited Orlando for college parties, but has been probably 5 yrs. His older brother and sister have four kids below age seven; he's helped out with them on occasion.
Mason for the defense. Juror likes to play video games -- golf, sports games. Mason asks if he wants to be on jury. Juror says, "It is what it is; if I need to do it, I will." Juror agrees he can follow the law, hold his ground when he needs to; not worried about reprisals if he would find not guilty.
No challenges. He becomes the 19th juror retained. Ten minute recess, then on to the last two remaining jurors.
Juror #4060 is next. She says it would not be a hardship for her to serve. Has done no internet research, FB, Twitter or social media re case. She saw some coverage early on, but all she recalls is that a little girl was missing. Saw her picture and pictures of Anthony. She has not formed opinion of guilt or innocence.
Ashton for state asks if she recalls why defendant would have been a suspect according to media reports. She does not know why. No questions by defense.
Judge Perry with DP voir dire. Juror says she is against DP to the point it would affect her being able to find guilty even if evidence warranted it. She is excused.
Quick sidebar with attorneys.
Juror #4123 (the last remaining juror to be screened). She has heeded judge's admonition. Recalls only that child was missing and mother accused. Gets her news from Bay News 9. Saw photos of child/mom (headshot of Casey). Has been around people who have voiced opinions...not about case itself, but how to get out of serving (laughter in courtroom). She has not formed any opinion about Anthony's guilt or innocence.
Frank George for the state. Juror says she doesn't watch much news. She says she occasionally sees some headlines on AOL. Posted on her FB acct that she got a jury notice. Some asked which case she got picked for. Told them she couldn't talk about it.
Baez asks about her husband being a BayNews9 junkie. Juror says she immediately switched from the news channel and told him she couldn't see/hear it. Said husband would just have to live with that. Tells Baez she doesn't always believe the media. She worked for Devil Rays and said during inaugural season, media got even a lot of simple things wrong.
Judge with death penalty voir dire now. Juror "is unsure" whether she can vote for DP if warranted. After clarification by judge, she says now that she understands, yes, she can do it. Same with LWOP.
Ashton for the state. Clarifies that the law would never compel DP; it would be her sole decision. She says she can do that. Says she feels it's a privilege to have the opportunity to serve. Finnell further clarifies that she doesn't ever have to vote for DP; even if aggravators proven, can still choose LWOP. Juror understands.
George for state with general voir dire. Cameras will not bother juror. Juror has brother who is Major with PD in Louisville PD. They were raised apart, so they're not extremely close. Juror was robbed at gunpoint while working in convenience store in 1985. Juror has disability from back problems and depression, but says her medication has "made her whole." Juror likes fishing, bingo, sewing. Biggest passion is working in animal rescue. Bottle feeds kittens. (Awwww! Like this one!)
Baez goes over legal concepts with the juror -- presumption of innocence, reasonable doubt, proving elements of a crime, right of defendant not to testify, etc. Juror understands all the concepts and agrees to follow the law and court's instructions.
No challenge from either side. She becomes the 20th juror retained.
**The judge mentions there is a note regarding Juror #3016 (the PE teacher from yesterday). Says he feels it's something they should discuss privately, so they go in chambers to do so. Provided he's not excused, total prospective juror count will be 20; total of 19 jurors if he is excused.
Will start a new post when court resumes.
No comments:
Post a Comment