| LACI & CONNER ~TWO PRECIOUS ANGELS~ Tribute by Andrea |
| Judge qualifies first potential Juror
#4663 March 22, 2004 Judge Delucchi qualified the first potential juror brought in for individual questioning in Scott Peterson's double-murder trial. The balding, middle-aged environmental inspector for the city of San Jose was ordered back to court May 13, when the judge hopes to pare down 317 prospective jurors to a pool of 70 to 90. Attorneys on both sides will then use challenges - currently set at 20 for each side - to whittle that group to 12 jurors and 6 alternates. "I'm satisfied you're qualified to serve on case like this," Judge Alfred Delucchi told juror 4663, who he referred to as "Mr. Juror." Prospective juror names are being kept confidential to protect their privacy in the face of massive publicity. Four other prospective jurors took the stand Monday morning and were disqualified. At least four others scheduled to be brought in today were disqualified before being questioned, apparently because of their views on capital punishment. Jurors in the case must be willing to consider the death penalty if Peterson is convicted. Prosecutor Dave Harris asked juror 4663 whether he could vote for the death penalty if Scott is convicted in a case built on circumstantial evidence. "It's a bit of a tough question, because it's not hard evidence," the man replied. "I would have to weigh that out." Defense attorney Mark Geragos appeared opposed to having juror 4663 on the panel, suggesting the man would favor the prosecution because he regularly worked with the San Jose city attorney's office and local district attorney's office in wastewater pollution cases. The man said he had testified before grand juries as an expert witness for the prosecution but had not been called at trial. "You to me seem like a juror I would not want to have on this case, do you understand why?" Geragos asked. "Yes," the prospective juror replied. When asked why the defense would want him on the panel, the man said: "Well, it's a matter of my job. I look at all the factors and weigh them. That's what I do - look at all the evidence." The environmental inspector maintained that he hadn't made up his mind about the case, would be impartial and would follow the instruction that prosecutors had to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt for a conviction. He said some people - including his domestic partner - had expressed or inferred their thought that Peterson was guilty. "Nobody's ever expressed an opinion that he's innocent, to you?" Geragos asked. "No, actually it's me," the man replied. Delucchi cut in after Geragos asked the man if he would have any hesitation sitting on the jury. "You know Mr. Geragos, I'm not going to permit that question because we'd all rather be someplace else." JURORS - WHO THEY ARE HOME INDEX LACI SCOTT TRIAL NEWS COURT DATES/STORIES |
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