While it is very unfortunate that we did not have enough jurors to get our alternate jurors, the 12 jurors that were selected for our primary jury are all solid citizens and a fair and just consideration of the evidence should follow.
Of the 65 jurors who we previously passed for cause, 19 of them came into court today and made new requests to be excused from jury duty. Some requests were valid (i.e., three jurors who had been unemployed for lengthy periods of time had found work and would lose their new jobs if required to serve on this jury) and some were not. Judge Parsons granted 12 of the 19 requests, thus reducing our panel to 53. Another two jurors were deferred duty now but told to come back next week as part of the panel of jurors for the alternate juror seats.
The selection of the 12 primary jurors was completed after the prosecution and defense excused 28 jurors using 14 peremptory challenges each. The primary jury is comprised of six men and six women. Selection of the five alternate jurors was conducted until the panel was exhausted after each side exercised three peremptory challenges. The 12 primary jurors and the five prospective alternate jurors now occupying the alternate seats were directed to return on Monday October 19, 2009 9:00 for completion of the selection process with the new jurors followed by the opening statements and start of the prosecution evidence.
In the afternoon jury selection started over and a new panel of 75 jurors was brought into court for hardship inquiry and they will return on Tuesday and Wednesday for individual questioning. The trial is in recess Friday and Monday (Columbus Day - court holiday). The trial resumes Tuesday morning.
As noted above, opening statements will be presented Monday morning, October 19, 2009.
Of the 65 jurors who we previously passed for cause, 19 of them came into court today and made new requests to be excused from jury duty. Some requests were valid (i.e., three jurors who had been unemployed for lengthy periods of time had found work and would lose their new jobs if required to serve on this jury) and some were not. Judge Parsons granted 12 of the 19 requests, thus reducing our panel to 53. Another two jurors were deferred duty now but told to come back next week as part of the panel of jurors for the alternate juror seats.
The selection of the 12 primary jurors was completed after the prosecution and defense excused 28 jurors using 14 peremptory challenges each. The primary jury is comprised of six men and six women. Selection of the five alternate jurors was conducted until the panel was exhausted after each side exercised three peremptory challenges. The 12 primary jurors and the five prospective alternate jurors now occupying the alternate seats were directed to return on Monday October 19, 2009 9:00 for completion of the selection process with the new jurors followed by the opening statements and start of the prosecution evidence.
In the afternoon jury selection started over and a new panel of 75 jurors was brought into court for hardship inquiry and they will return on Tuesday and Wednesday for individual questioning. The trial is in recess Friday and Monday (Columbus Day - court holiday). The trial resumes Tuesday morning.
As noted above, opening statements will be presented Monday morning, October 19, 2009.
I was one of the last jurors dismissed in the pool yesterday. I honestly hadn't even heard of the case until I was called for jury duty, so I didn't know anything about Officer May or the defendant. Now that I am able to read about the story I'm saddened that I won't able to help bring justice to Officer May's family and community. Good luck.
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