Here are my notes from today's hearing:
*Jury selection, day 1 will be different, 40 jurors to start at 8:30 or 8:45am, both sides must agree on a "Statement of Case" to be presented to potential jurors. This statement to encompass some of the facts, after preliminary reading of indictment, jurors will be segregated in another court room in groups of 10, will be brought in 1 at a time and asked about hardship, pre-trial publicity, death qualification and then lawyers can ask any question permitted by law. Will seat 12 jurors and unknown amount of alternates. They will be sworn in immediately. Days 2-4 will have 30 jurors brought in until a jury is selected.
HHJP gave atty's a list of TV channels to be approved by both sides, no news, nothing with news tickers are on the list. Both sides have until 4/1/2011 to respond. List of DVD's will also be provided to atty's for approval. TV's are specially programmed.
LDB & JB both requested 30 days notice, HHJP reminded both sides there will be a gag order, and he will probably provide 2 weeks notice. HHJP says jurors are not deaf & dumb, to be evaluated by abilities, 30 days is too long. JB said he might have objections to pre-trial publicity.
HHJP stated that the state will spend $350,000.00 for 8 weeks of trial to pay for jury meals, housing, security, laundry, having dentists & doctors on standby and 24/7 by security by the Sherriff. HHJP says it's almost like summer camp.
Court Administrator will meet with media, media station heads will sign off on confidentiality and also be given notice. HHJP warns that to secure lower costs, contracts to block rooms have been made and non-refundable deposits have been paid already. Each side may have a representative at the meeting.
One atty for each side will be allowed to speak to a potential juror during death qualification, that same atty must object or address the court.
JA would prefer no questionnaires for jurors as they change their answers. HHJP says jurors will be referred to by their numbers not name.
ICA will be transported to location either Saturday or Sunday before May 9, 2011.
*Depositions - Law Enforcement & Ordinary witnesses:
JB - not all completed yet, 7 or 8 no-shows to be completed by 2/18/2011 per HHJP.
LDB - TES witnesses next week.
JB - State to still be deposed by defense:
Ron Adams - prison
Helen Davis - TES Texas
Maya Derkovic
Det. Eric Edwards
Sylvia Hernandez
Amy Huizenga
Ricardo Morales
Rick Plesea
Anthony Rusciano
LE mentioned earlier
JB - Starts whining about witnesses listed after deadline by State, LDB explains these witnesses came to light after internal affairs investigation of Sylvia Hernandez.
LDB says all depositions completed except new TES and the remaining experts.
JA - 2 defense experts are scheduled, waiting for the expert info. Furton is next week.
HHJP - Re-emphasizing that a lot of planning is needed for the out of town jury. Lunch will be from Noon-1:30, unless things move slow, then will be reduced to 1 hour, so pack a lunch.
HHJP requests sidebar with court reporter (JA says your so damn funny to CM during this)
HHJP - Anything else....... No one responds.
HHJP - 2 weeks notice for location of jury selection, asks if there are any objections to media groups being notified, make it known. Court adjourns.
