There was much anticipation going into Day 10 of jury selection in the Casey Anthony murder trial, but for those who had been holding their breath over-night, there was a surprise. Judge Belvin Perry, after abruptly bringing jury selection to a screeching halt the day before, resumed on Thursday, with a few house-keeping matters and there was no major announcement.
Some court watchers had speculated a plead deal might have been in the works given the unanticipated early recess on Wednesday. But, if it is, not yet and that may not be.
Perry began by reviewing the number of potential jurors that had already been questioned, noting that four potential jurors who appeared on Wednesday, had indicated they would suffer financial hardship if called to serve. This being the case, with the prosecution and defense in agreement, jurors # 3025, 3317, 3340 and 3309 were excused for cause.
With eleven potential jurors in hand and after the first two were questioned on Thursday, Perry appeared to have reached his magical number of 12 persons, when no challenges were posed to a male juror, # 3310, who said he had formed no opinion on Casey’s guilt or innocence. But, Perry did not swear in the first 12 jurors, indicating “we will forge ahead to the rest to see where we go.” Twelve (12) potential jurors remain to be questioned by the prosecution and defense teams.
Juror # 3131, who had been ill for a couple days, appeared first on Thursday. She told the court she had seen some of the case on CNN and had formed an opinion on Casey’s guilt. Formerly a care giver who had worked with children, she said it was “very chilling to see the baby sitter pulled into the case as a pawn.”
“At that point, I didn’t need to see any more,” juror # 3131 said. “I believe she is guilty. Perhaps she wasn’t alone…..but this is not a normal parent.”
“Can you lay this aside, and render a verdict solely on evidence and the law, as I give it to you,” Perry asked.
“Because of the kind of case, I can’t lay it aside. I feel very strongly about this,” juror # 3131 replied.
Neither the prosecution or defense had any further questions and this potential juror was excused for cause.
“I am inclined to excuse for cause as juror # 3131 can’t lay aside the defendant’s guilt,” Perry said.
Another potential juror # 3610, a male tenth grade physical education teacher, with no children, was questioned, and so far, has not been challenged by either the defense or prosecution.
Casey Anthony is charged with murdering her two-year-old daughter, Caylee. She had initially claimed her daughter was kidnapped by a baby sitter, but that “story” was later debunked by her defense attorneys.
Court watchers believe that, based on questions posed to potential jurors by the Anthony defense team, it is almost certain that factors such as sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse will loom large as part of the Casey defense strategy. How these dots will be connected to Caylee’s murder, is anyone’s guess.
Perry said on Wednesday, before the lunch break, opening arguments in the trial will commence next Monday, at the Orange County Courthouse, “if we have a jury.”
