You know, here's the thing, as I see it.
If Nurmi is so dad-gum concerned about jurors being adversely affected - meaning, developing a bias for or against one of the lawyers - he ought to look at his own 'house' first and foremost.
To use a phrase he has used in this trial before, this latest thing is a stunt, a stunt Nurmi himself is pulling. It's obvious he's worried about how the trial is progressing and this is an obvious straw grasp.
Nurmi ought to take a good, hard look at himself and his team and the corresponding players:
Nurmi is a large man, which in and of itself is neither here nor there. But his courtroom presence is off-putting. He lumbers. He slouches at the defense table and has been seen on camera picking his nose numerous times. If I want to get personal, I can say his clothing choices are sub-optimal; ill-fitting suits are unbecoming and unprofessional. Nurmi, you can afford a tailor.
His manner of speaking is irritating to listen to. Both he and his co-counsel would truly benefit from a voice coach.
His co-counsel JW comes across both as a giggly and petulant child who whines when she doesn't get her way.
They have not done JA any favors by encouraging her to develop an obviously intentional dowdy, 'waif-like' appearance. The jurors aren't stupid and know that's not what she looked like at any time in her life prior to her trial for murder. They've seen pics of her before. The dramatic change in her appearance smacks of being deliberate and deceptive and IMO, isn't lost on the jury.
Their mitigation specialist more often than not comes to court looking like she's dressed for a night on the town (or is just rolling in after a night on the town) - low necklines, long dangling earrings. She has been seen at the defense table laughing and talking with JW and the defendant.
Members of defendant's family is in attendance very day and are often observed yukking it up amongst themselves. Disrespectful, and does nothing to help garner sympathy for the defendant.
In contrast, we have the prosecutor and lead detective who quietly sit at attention at their table. They are both conservatively dressed. They look and act like serious professionals.
The victim's family exhibits extraordinary control whilst sitting through extraordinarily gruesome and heart-wrenching testimony. Their demeanor demonstrates respect for the court.
Someone should clue Nurmi in that jealousy is very unbecoming. Clean your own house!
/two cents from an exasperated old broad who has been seated four times as a juror in criminal trials