Prosecutors hinted on Thursday, Day 4, of jury selection in the Casey Anthony murder trial that they might ask jurors to utilize their sense of smell.
Prosecutors said they have four containers that hold swatches of the spare tire cover collected from the trunk of Casey’s car. Only one was utilized by the state’s expert for testing.
Prosecutors say, the air samples collected from the tire cover is that of Caylee’s decomposing body and not the odor of trash or rotting pizza as they anticipate the Anthony defense would claim.
But Perry cautioned prosecutors that, in order to have jurors smell the containers, a foundation must first be established in law.
“When did jurors suddenly become witnesses?” Perry asked. “Strangely sounds like lay opinion testimony to me. There must be a foundation…be prepared to back that up.”
Prosecutors responded that a foundation would be laid in case law for presenting jurors with the smell from the trunk of Casey’s car.
Meanwhile, at the end of Day 4 of jury selection in the Pinellas County Court, four potential jurors–3 men and 1 woman–had gone through a second round of screening and will proceed to final selection on Saturday. One potential juror was excused.
Because of the slow pace of jury selection, Perry asked each side how much time they will need for general inquiry of jurors. It was agreed that the prosecution and defense will each have 30 minutes to ask general questions of jurors. No time limit will be placed on questions related to the death penalty.
