Jurors and Voir Dire in the Casey A. Case

[Curious Me]

A big thanks to sluetherontheside. I've learned lots from some of the sites you've shared.


the new Jury Tracker application
http://www.tabletlegal.com/jury-tracker-ipad/

It is creepy that new apps can track jurors to that extent, but it's probably a great tool. Reading about the new app is a learning experience in itself because it reveals how attorneys can get all sorts of info to appeal to certain jurors. They flag specific jurors as followers or leaders....that's interesting.

 

[sleutherontheside]

http://writ.news.findlaw.com/ramasastry/20100730.html

Googling Potential Jurors: The Legal and Ethical Issues Arising from the Use of the Internet in Voir Dire

snip
Some judges are thinking seriously about the privacy side of the equation too. For instance, in 2006, U.S. District Judge David Coar banned Internet search-engine inquiries regarding prospective jurors in the corruption trial of former Chicago mayoral aide Robert Sorich and his codefendant Tim McCarthy due to privacy concerns.

Lawyers investigating potential or current jurors on the Internet must be sure not to contact the potential juror at issue-- for such contact would constitute a breach of an attorney's ethical obligations. For instance, a lawyer cannot ethically seek to access a juror's private MySpace or Facebook account -- for instance, through a Facebook "friend" request. Any posting of comments between the juror and the attorney would be even worse -- an appalling breach of a clear rule against out-of-court contact between attorneys and potential or actual jurors.

 

[sleutherontheside]

I'd also like to explore how a defense team could use Voir Dire to cause a mistrial or provide grounds for an appeal after conviction.

I know that the use of alternates alleviates some of those concerns.....but in what circumstances could Voir Dire investigation actually help?

 

[sleutherontheside]

This is the Juror Questionaire for the Conrad Murray trial.

While this link does not relate to the KC case, I found some of the juror questions interesting relating to pretrial publicity.

http://tmz.vo.llnwd.net/o28/newsdesk/tmz_documents/0410_murray_doc.pdf

 

[Pattymarie]

(Bringing this over from another thread, this one is more appropriate for this post)

Well lets see, these are some of the people who probably won't make it onto the jury:

1. People who party at Fusion
2. People who write bad checks at Target
3. All friend or relatives of Kathi B
4. People who are Hispanic
5. Those with tattoos
6. Housewives who use Febreeze
7. Squirrel lovers
8. Anyone on antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds
9. People who can't grow their hair very fast
10. Small chested women
11. Those with sexual abuse history
12. All event planners
13. Nannies
14. People who keep their cars neat and clean
15. Anyone who has ever posted online about this case or watches Nancy Grace
16. Bailbondsmen
17. Those who disapprove of strutting and wearing Missing Baby t-shirts tied up at
the waist
18. Citizens with real jobs
19. People who have smelled human decomposition
20. Mothers

I am sure I have missed a few.

 

[logicalgirl]

This is the Juror Questionaire for the Conrad Murray trial.

While this link does not relate to the KC case, I found some of the juror questions interesting relating to pretrial publicity.

http://tmz.vo.llnwd.net/o28/newsdesk/tmz_documents/0410_murray_doc.pdf

Sleutherontheside - you have provided some fabulous resources here! Bless you for your amazing work. I particularly like the Judges Instructions to the Jury pool about the various aspects of the law.

Except I did find myself saying hmmm, set aside ...mmmm - so I can see the jury has a tough job ahead of them! I can also see HHJP is going to control this selection very carefully.

 

[cherishtoo]

For reference: from the May 6, 2010 hearing

In part 5 @ 17:45 JB asks for a jury consultant. His request is denied with prejudice. http://www.wftv.com/video/23475771/index.html

In part 6 @ 33:40 Baez brings up attorney travel expenses during jury selection, and JP talks initially about how jury selection will occur.
http://www.wftv.com/video/23476081/index.html

 

[Capri]

SOTS- thanks for all the info about the process!

 

[Horace Finklestein]

"Baez" should have spent some of that blood money on a jury consultant if he wanted it that badly.

 

[countzero]

"Baez" should have spent some of that blood money on a jury consultant if he wanted it that badly.

Not being snarly: the people who are going to be questioned by CM, who HHJP said had plenty of experience with choosing jury's, are going to get their first impression of CM. How many will be turned off immediately or will CM put on his charming personality. Because if he does use charm, they will be insulted mentality by him when he cross examines the first witness during the trial.

If CM is smart, he will have JB zip it during jury selection.

 

[BlOnDe_GuRrL]

Since you are required to show up for jury duty are you also required to answer these questions? What happens if you refuse to answer some of them?

you will get a letter in the mail that says you do not qualify for jury duty. i marked the ones i didn't want to answer off as n/a... mainly because i didn't want to disclose info about my kids.

i wonder if everyone who's rejected gets a letter like that?

 

[Mystic]

I'm listening to the Levi show and its brought up that JB has obtained a Jury Consultant... the best in the Country. Its not known how he is going to pay them. The concern is that the State does not have one. Does anyone know if this is correct information?

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/levipage/2011/04/11/levi-page-show

 

[AlwaysShocked]

Oh, I would bet that Jose is going to want to be the "star of the show" with the choosing of the jury.

 

[Mamabear1963]

I'm listening to the Levi show and its brought up that JB has obtained a Jury Consultant... the best in the Country. Its not known how he is going to pay them. The concern is that the State does not have one. Does anyone know if this is correct information?

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/levipage/2011/04/11/levi-page-show

Maybe I am stupid...but really...I honestly don't think that JA NEEDS a jury consultant.

You wouldn't think a top designer would need a design consultant to redo their home...but it might be a useful tool to some girl off the street who wants to redo her home.

make sense?

 

[ScubaTwinn]

I agree SA doesn't need one. Those two are highly capable of picking a good jury without any help. MOO.

 

[sleutherontheside]

Jennifer Barringer who was interviewed on In Session a couple weeks ago said she was just doing some consulting with the defense.

She was the Jury specialist in the Phil Spektor trial.

Perhaps she has donated her services to the defense team.

 

[LiveLaughLuv]

I'm listening to the Levi show and its brought up that JB has obtained a Jury Consultant... the best in the Country. Its not known how he is going to pay them. The concern is that the State does not have one. Does anyone know if this is correct information?

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/levipage/2011/04/11/levi-page-show

I thought His Honor said a jury consultant wasn't needed...CMason has experience along with His Honor they can get an unbiased jury panel...

Interesting I stumbled upon this jury questionaire....all dated 12/15/2008...
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=24850037

1. Have you heard seen news reports about the Casey Anthony case?

2. If yes, what do you know about the case?

3. How much news coverage have you seen?

4. Do you know who Jose Baez is?

5. What are your opinions of Mr. Baez?

I wonder if this is a usual question for prospective jurors to answer..I know I was picked and had to fill out a questionaire but it didn't have the defendants counsels name on it nor where there an opinion of defendants counsel...so unusal for me...JMHO

Justice for Caylee

 

[Turnadot]

I agree SA doesn't need one. Those two are highly capable of picking a good jury without any help. MOO.

IIRC, LDB said that JA would be her jury consultant.

 

[LambChop]

All this defense talks about is SA having an advantage because they have unlimited resources and defense does not have the same advantage. KC has had the best, best defense that money can buy, without actually having any money. It is her choice to keep JB front and center because that is where she wants him.

And now a jury consultant. There is nothing she has not gotten in the way of defense that she has not asked for. Amazing. jmo

 

[sleutherontheside]

Considering Jennifer Barringer helped with jury selection on the Spektor trial.....and assuming she is helping the defense.....well......

Maybe KC and Phil can become prison pen pals.

haha