Sorry Websleuths is acting up for me.
Not in any no media coverage trial I know of locally (in Toronto) unless it has changed recently. They seem to leave it up to the potential juror entirely. BTW, the trial I was on, they had to pick a a second jury (the one I served on was the 2nd) because earlier that day, a juror failed to mention that their child had dated the defense attorney's assistant. (They go through the potential jurors quite quickly and don't ask.) Fortunately, this fact came out early enough it didn't cause a mistrial and they just picked a new jury.
BTW, I agree with you. They should ask but I don't know if it's a time issue. Edited to correct: I checked online and I found someone describing their experiences at the same courthouse (University Ave, Toronto) who served more recently than me (1 year ago). They said after the panel went down to the courtroom, they were told the names of the plantiff and accused and realted witnesses then as a panel, they were asked several questions: if they knew any of this people in any fashion? Can you speak English? Are you a Canadian citizen? Do you have any past criminal offenses? Are you a full time student?
For picking a jury, all that happened was our panel (they were several panels, each about 60 people or so) went down to the courtroom. They pulled a name out from the drum, read it out, we stood up and came to the front, they read out our age & occupation. We were then told "juror look upon the accused, accused look upon the juror" and then the crown and then defense said "accept" or "challenge" (there were only so many challenges.) (The defense could also defer a number of potential jurors (not the correct term) but they only had to reconsider these jurors if they went through the whole panel first.) If you don't get picked, you go back to the jury panel room and wait until your panel is called to the courtroom again. Some people never get picked in the entire 2 weeks (the usual length of time here but during the summer, one of my husband's panels only had to be there for 4 days as there were fewer trials in the summer -I don't know if this is still the case). edited to add: the more recent jury panelist said they were required to be there only 1 week, I don't know if this was in the summer.
It is not easy to get an exemption from serving, we were told (and other people I know have been told), we had to have a very good reason and it had to be approved, otherwise we'd be fined if we didn't show up until we were told we were formally excused. Sometimes they will defer your summons for a jury panel (call you at a later date). This happened to my late father-in-law, every time, he was called for jury duty, he was out of the country. He never did serve.
My husband was able to not serve on his 3rd jury call because it was expected to be 9 months or more (police corruption). Jurors were asked if it would be a financial hardship (juror pay increases over time but is very low). He told them we'd be unable to pay our mortgage or buy food so he was released.
Personally, I would not serve on a case with graphic evidence, especially photos. I would come with a letter from my doctor referring to my history of diagnosed anxiety and depression stating that this type of evidence would be detrimental to me. (The case I served on although sexual assault, didn't have much graphic evidence.) If you believe you have a reason for being excused or deferred, it is best to bring physical evidence (ie doctor's note, reservations for vacation etc.)
Even when there isn't the issue of graphic evidence, it is tiring being on a jury. You are expected to sit and listen and never get the chance to say anything at all (except in the jury room, outside of the court). In the jury room, you are not supposed to talk about the evidence until it is time for deliberation so you end up making up small talk until deliberation. They bring your meals (box lunches) once you are deliberating (and you go to a hotel if you haven't reach a verdict at the end of the day. (They usually ask if you are near reaching a verdict so they know if to order meals/get the hotel ready. They ask you to bring several changes of clothes on the anticipated day the defense finishes their case.)
