Who Will Be Selected To Serve?

Jury selection got going on Day 2 of the Casey Anthony first degree murder trial in Pinellas County.  Jurors filed in one by one as they did on Day 1.

But, who will eventually end up on the Casey Anthony jury, the 25-year-old Florida mother, charged with first degree murder in the death of her two-year-old daughter, Caylee?

One was a classroom teacher–a female, another a registered female nurse in a trauma ICU, a woman who said she suffered from Lupus, a male cardiac nurse on call 24 hours, a female retiree who is diabetic, another woman with a 4-year-old daughter and who is the sole caregiver and the owner of a family hardware business with 34 employees, with sole responsibility for keeping the operation going and who has scheduled a trip to Panama.

——–Then there was Juror #1440, a man who ran group homes for foster children and who is scheduled to get married in 10 weeks.

——–Juror #1188, who told the court he has plans to go to Puerto Rico to visit his dying uncle and who says he takes pills for his nerves and to help him calm down.

——–Juror #1113, a female whose husband is disabled and who is the sole provider and caregiver.

——–Then came Juror #1030, a Vietnamese-born man, who told Chief Judge Bevin Perry he speaks English “a little bit.”

——–Another male juror who just started a job two weeks ago, who said it would be an inconvenience to be away from his family if selected to be a juror, but who would not suffer financially.

——-Juror #1432, a female with two young children, ages 7 and 10 years, who told the court it will be a hardship as she doesn’t have anyone to watch them and couldn’t afford to lose her income for six to eight weeks, the likely duration of the trial.

—-Juror #1119, who said he won’t suffer any hardships, should he be selected as a juror.

—-Then there was a potential male juror who told the court he consults as a chef in a small independent company.

—-And another man who collects disability checks, owns seven dogs and who said he would be affected adversely if selected as a juror because it would be “pretty expensive” to pay to have his dogs looked after for the trial’s duration.

And in each case, Perry asked potential jurors the initial standard questions:

—Did you heed the court’s previous admonition not to read, watch or listen to news accounts of this case?  The answer was invariably “yes” from the potential jurors.

—Also, my admonition not to do any Internet research and engage in social media discussions concerning this case?  Again, the answer was “yes”.

—Did you have an opportunity to discuss with your family about serving on this case and being away for six to eight weeks?  Almost all had done so.

Then the very important question of “hardship” was asked of potential jurors.

“Would it impose a hardship being away for six to eight weeks?” Perry asked.  “Any medical issues or any pressing events?”

Most said “yes” it would impose a hardship, with answers ranging from financial, to lack of childcare, to medical issues and pet care.

And so, it was, after a few moments in the court, the opportunity to sit on perhaps the most-watched first degree murder trial in Florida was over.

–The cardiac nurse was excused for hardship.

–The woman who suffered from Lupus and gets occasional flareups was gone for medical reasons.

–The mother of a four-year-old daughter and the sole caregiver and breadwinner excused for reasons of hardship.

–The potential juror who runs a shelter for neglected and abused children, gone.

–The nervous man with a dying uncle, excused for cause.

–The woman with a disabled husband and the sole caregiver–gone, excused for family hardship.

Also, the Vietnamese man, who from the get go, did not understand the first question asked by Perry and who said he speaks English a little bit. And when Perry tried to push further to inquire if he would be able to understand the arguments in the case, the man replied, “I just told you, I speak English a little bit.”   He too is gone for cause, language barrier.

Very few potential jurors appeared unsure of whether they would suffer “hardship” or not, if selected and vacillated between wanting to serve and do their civic duty.

For those where a clear “hardship” was not found, Perry told them they would be contacted later today to return for additional questioning on Wednesday, after seeking input from the prosecution and defense lawyers.

On Monday, more than 33 potential jurors were dismissed out of 67 who were questioned.  It’s anyone’s guess how many more potential jurors will be asked to return on Wednesday.

One thing is certain, Perry is bent on moving methodically through the list.

Oh, and Casey Anthony, the defendant charged with first degree murder in the death of her two-year-old daughter Caylee?

Well, she appeared more composed today. There was no crying as was the case on Monday.  She seemed calm and looked at the potential jurors as they were being questioned.

And so the task of picking 20 jurors–12 to sit on the jury and 8 alternates–will continue.

Perry has said that he expects jury selection will be completed by the end of the week.

That might just be a long shot!