Because age/gender affect trial strategy. Different strokes for different folks.
It should not. But it probably does. I can tell you of a lawyer that will not choose female jurors b/c of his own bias. He never wins a case though.
Jurors *should* simply look at the evidence and facts before them. But, I have been called to jury duty many times since I have a driver's license. I never sit because of my job, nor do I wish to. I have seen and heard what will be and I cannot agree with the mindsets. Hours waiting to be called up just for Voir Dire. I would flip out an go JA having to try to make lifetimes of knowledge understandable to some. Gender doesn't play into it.