The jury selection process began earlier this week for the murder trial of Justin Ross Harris, the man whose 22-month-old son died when Harris left him in a hot car for several hours. Now that the pool is being narrowed down, potential jurors are answering questions to determine who will decide the case.
Duffie Dixon of Atlanta’s 11Alive News has been tweeting updates from the courtroom, and it looks like the process has been difficult so far. One person has already acknowledged that they man not be up to the task of hearing a case involving a child’s death.
Female juror says as a mother it would be hard to hear investigation of a child’s death. “I don’t wish to have those thoughts” #RossHarris
— Duffie Dixon 11Alive (@DuffieDixon) April 13, 2016
Others admit that being impartial may prove difficult when the child died while in the father’s care.
#RossHarris juror says she can’t be fair and impartial as a parent. Wrote: parent should do everything they can to protect their child.
— Duffie Dixon 11Alive (@DuffieDixon) April 13, 2016
Female juror’s voice quivering as she says she hopes she can be fair, but worries she’s not dispassionate enough. @11alive #RossHarris
— Duffie Dixon 11Alive (@DuffieDixon) April 13, 2016
Yet another says that he’s already thinking of a conviction before even hearing the case.
Uh oh. Juror says he’s not heard all lthe facts but he’s leaning toward guilty. #11alive pic.twitter.com/3nSsncTB08
— Duffie Dixon 11Alive (@DuffieDixon) April 13, 2016
Dixon reported that, according to her legal expert, each side can strike nine potential jurors from the pool without cause, unless the judge grants more. They would also get more strikes for selecting alternates.
Wild About Trial got a hold of the written questionnaire that the prospective jurors filled out, and it can be found here. The questions range from education and employment background, to social media, internet, and entertainment habits, to specific questions geared towards the facts of the case, including whether a a potential juror has ever left a child or pet in a car.
Jury selection is expected to last at least into next week. LawNewz.com will have continuing coverage of the trial.
[Screengrab vis WGCL]
