After two days of general questioning - 14 jurors will return on Oct 8 for final Selection

Today a new group of 16 jurors was in court for questioning on the death penalty, knowledge of the case, and other issues in the case. The questioning took all day and 8 of the 16 jurors were passed for cause and directed to return on October 8, 2009 for the final jury selection.

Of the eight jurors excused for cause, one was excused for a financial hardship and the other seven were excused based on their views on the death penalty (inability to fairly consider the punishment).

After two days of general questioning, 14 jurors have been passed for cause (this is a high percentage for a case involving the death penalty). The trial resumes this morning with questioning of the next group of 16 jurors.

Fourth Day of Juror Selection

We completed the fourth day of jury selection today and another 148 prospective jurors were brought into court and asked about sitting on this three months trial.

Of the 148 prospective jurors, 99 were excused due to hardship and 49 were passed for hardship and filled out questionnaires. Those 49 jurors were given dates to return for general questioning starting on September 8, 2009.

The total numbers for the four days of hardship jury selection are: 600 total jurors examined; 399 of those jurors were excused for hardship and 201 jurors were passed for hardship and will return for questioning at a later date in September.

It appears we will complete hardship inquiry tomorrow (Wednesday) with the final panels of 75 jurors in the morning and 75 jurors in the afternoon.