Second Phase of the Jury Selection is Completed

Erin and Rich


Tuesday morning in the courtroom was like the previous days in the People vs. Alvarez murder trial jury selection process. It was the last day of the second phase of the selection process. It is expected that Thursday will be the final day of selection.

Listening to the questions presented to the jurors about the death of a police officer still brings tears to my eyes – and it has been close to four years since Rich’s murder. The next two months are going to be the most difficult time in my life – after the night Rich died.

San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Craig Parsons has conducted the Juror selection process in an exemplary manner. Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe has done the same.

We enter Thursday with a pool of 65 jurors. Twelve regular and 5 alternates need to be selected. If this happens on Thursday (10/8), then the trial will start with opening statements on Tuesday October 13th (Monday is a holiday).
We have approximately 2 months ahead of us. The court will not be in session on Fridays during this trial.

The defendant, 26 year old Alberto Alvarez, could face execution if convicted of first-degree murder with the special circumstance that Rich was a police officer performing his duties when killed on Jan. 7, 2006. As expected, Alvarez has been appearing in court during the jury selection – clean cut, nice clothing, and nice shirts. A new appearance is not enough to sway a jury, knowing the evidence that will be presented.

Since Alvarez faces the death penalty or life without parole, Alvarez’s attorneys are questioning the potential jurors for the penalty phase of the trial. They have one job – to try to keep Alvarez alive.