Bosma Murder Trial 01.18.16 - Jury selection process commences

[swedie]

And then there is this article which asks and answers questions pertaining to jury selection and attending the trial. HTH

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6235140-the-bosma-trial-jury-selection-and-court-attendance/

 

[Sillybilly]

In the Rafferty trial, Judge Heeney ordered a satellite courtroom set up for the media but they were not allowed to transmit from the main courtroom.

from:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/jury-selection-begins-in-tori-stafford-murder-trial-1.774322

The trial is also expected to draw extensive media coverage, so Heeney has set some ground rules. Reporters can use devices such as laptops or smartphones but won't be allowed to transmit from the courtroom.

However, a satellite courtroom will be set up for the trial, from which reporters will be allowed to electronically transmit information.

Members of the public won't be permitted to use personal electronic devices in either courtroom.

I imagine we might see the same procedure in the Bosma murder trial.

 

[Arnie M]

In the Rafferty trial, Judge Heeney ordered a satellite courtroom set up for the media but they were not allowed to transmit from the main courtroom.

from:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/jury-selection-begins-in-tori-stafford-murder-trial-1.774322




I imagine we might see the same procedure in the Bosma murder trial.

That would be good. Reporters should be able to do everything from a separate room if they are giving updates.

In some trials , a reporter will take a minute to tweet something , but then they miss out on what is being said in court during that minute , or they have to step out in the hall to transmit the information and miss some of the testimony.

 

[Arnie M]

.

Twitter is the worst collection of clutter ever invented by mankind.

One sentence of valuable information surrounded by junk , and it can be tedious reading.

When I post trial updates I like to leave the unnecessary stuff on the cutting room floor as follows :

Now talking about pants seized from Dennis' closet. Visual stains. Inside right front pocket - partial DNA typing profile matched Dennis

Inside left front pocket. Same. Inside right front pocket, not enough genetic material. Inside left front pocket, partial, matches Dennis

Now talking about blue/grey shorts Dennis was captured on security video wearing after visiting father evening of July 6.

Middle upper left back, mixed profile of 2 people, at least one male. No meaningful comparison could be made

as compared to



@BJMCBCNow talking about pants seized from Dennis' closet. Visual stains. Inside right front pocket - partial DNA typing profile matched Dennis10:33 AM - 24 Nov 2015

@BJMCBCInside left front pocket. Same. Inside right front pocket, not enough genetic material. Inside left front pocket, partial, matches Dennis10:34 AM - 24 Nov 2015

@BJMCBCNow talking about blue/grey shorts Dennis was captured on security video wearing after visiting father evening of July 6.10:41 AM - 24 Nov 2015

@BJMCBCMiddle upper left back, mixed profile of 2 people, at least one male. No meaningful comparison could be made10:41 AM - 24 Nov 2015

 

[Tamarind]

.

Twitter is the worst collection of clutter ever invented by mankind.

One sentence of valuable information surrounded by junk , and it can be tedious reading.

When I post trial updates I like to leave the unnecessary stuff on the cutting room floor as follows :







as compared to



@BJMCBCNow talking about pants seized from Dennis' closet. Visual stains. Inside right front pocket - partial DNA typing profile matched Dennis10:33 AM - 24 Nov 2015

@BJMCBCInside left front pocket. Same. Inside right front pocket, not enough genetic material. Inside left front pocket, partial, matches Dennis10:34 AM - 24 Nov 2015

@BJMCBCNow talking about blue/grey shorts Dennis was captured on security video wearing after visiting father evening of July 6.10:41 AM - 24 Nov 2015

@BJMCBCMiddle upper left back, mixed profile of 2 people, at least one male. No meaningful comparison could be made10:41 AM - 24 Nov 2015

Aren't they both the same? Am I missing something?

 

[Kamille]

.

Twitter is the worst collection of clutter ever invented by mankind.

One sentence of valuable information surrounded by junk , and it can be tedious reading.

When I post trial updates I like to leave the unnecessary stuff on the cutting room floor as follows :







as compared to



@BJMCBCNow talking about pants seized from Dennis' closet. Visual stains. Inside right front pocket - partial DNA typing profile matched Dennis10:33 AM - 24 Nov 2015

@BJMCBCInside left front pocket. Same. Inside right front pocket, not enough genetic material. Inside left front pocket, partial, matches Dennis10:34 AM - 24 Nov 2015

@BJMCBCNow talking about blue/grey shorts Dennis was captured on security video wearing after visiting father evening of July 6.10:41 AM - 24 Nov 2015

@BJMCBCMiddle upper left back, mixed profile of 2 people, at least one male. No meaningful comparison could be made10:41 AM - 24 Nov 2015

If we are going to be copying and pasting reporter tweets word for word, it is important that we give that reporter their due by including their entire tweet. Not to mention WS only allows us to copy and paste tweets from accredited journalists so we need to know that info when reading them. The time and date are also very helpful so that we can go back and put things in sequence if need be.

Might be somewhat difficult to read at first but you get used to it.

MOO

 

[Arnie M]

If we are going to be copying and pasting reporter tweets word for word, it is important that we give that reporter their due by including their entire tweet. Not to mention WS only allows us to copy and paste tweets from accredited journalists so we need to know that info when reading them. The time and date are also very helpful so that we can go back and put things in sequence if need be.

Might be somewhat difficult to read at first but you get used to it.

MOO

Yes of course , link the source

.

 

[Kamille]

Susan ClairmontVerified account ‏@susanclairmont 18m18 minutes ago
Courthouse in #HamOnt issued 11-page "media guide" for covering the Tim #Bosma murder trial which opens Monday. Never seen that before.

Susan Clairmont ‏@susanclairmont 3m3 minutes ago
Susan Clairmont Retweeted
Lawyers' names, pub bans, courtroom etiquette, how to access exhibits, deets on overflow room...#Bosma #hamont

 

[MsSherlock]

Susan ClairmontVerified account ‏@susanclairmont 18m18 minutes ago
Courthouse in #HamOnt issued 11-page "media guide" for covering the Tim #Bosma murder trial which opens Monday. Never seen that before.

Susan Clairmont ‏@susanclairmont 3m3 minutes ago
Susan Clairmont Retweeted
Lawyers' names, pub bans, courtroom etiquette, how to access exhibits, deets on overflow room...#Bosma #hamont

Thank you Kamille- is that something that the Judge would request? Interesting that SC, who's covered so many criminal trials has never seen it before.

 

[SnooperDuper]

Thank you Kamille- is that something that the Judge would request? Interesting that SC, who's covered so many criminal trials has never seen it before.

That's it, we can officially declare it a circus.

Seriously, with all the many trials and evidence that has been excluded or included and resulting publication bans, it was very intelligent of the court to make a summary of that to keep everyone on the straight and narrow.

 

[Kamille]

Thank you Kamille- is that something that the Judge would request? Interesting that SC, who's covered so many criminal trials has never seen it before.

This is probably going to be one of, if not the biggest trial that has been held at this courthouse in terms of public interest. This is probably more likely due to an increased interest in true crime in general, both in social media and televison, than the actual crime itself, although Tim's disappearance and Sharlene's plight really did hit home for a lot of people in the area. This case has been featured in media not just locally, but in the GTA and surrounding areas because of the players and the other elements of the crime that involve those areas, reaching millions more people. Add the semi "celebrity" of one of the players because of his family's ties to the aviation industry, three more murder charges, other peripheral players being charged with various crimes and you've got a LOT of people interested in the outcome and the media will be scrambling to deliver all the details.

So it appears that the courthouse is aware of this and has been preparing well in advance for this trial. The jury selection went smoothly, despite the crowds and I expect the trial to be the same. There will be a lot of media there from out of the area and it's good that they understand the rules so there will be no "mistakes" that have to be dealt with. Not sure if this was at the judge's instruction but if it was, kudos to him.

MOO

 

[matou]

Smich and Millard were scheduled to appear in Superior Court of Justice at 361 University Ave today at 9:30 am. Wonder how that went without any lawyer for Millard? "to be spoken to."

CR-15-50000474-0000

 

[matou]

Their heads must be spinning from going to court for Laura Babcock right before their huge trial begins for the murder of Tim Bosma. JMO

 

[Tamarind]

I think it's right that the jury are asked the questions they get asked. One thing the court has to prevent is contempt of court. I find this website helpful in understanding.

http://www.duhaime.org/LegalDictionary/C/ContemptofCourt.aspx

Especially this section:

'"There were three kinds of contempt: (1) Scandalizing the Court itself;

(2) Abusing parties who are concerned in causes in the Court;

(3) Prejudicing mankind against persons before the cause is heard....

"There cannot be anything of greater consequence than to keep the streams of justice clear and pure, that parties may proceed in safety both to themselves and their characters.

Jury selection is quite the task.

 

[MsSherlock]

Well, the countdown is really on now! 66 hours to go.

 

[robynhood]

ANYONE with a twitter acc't can follow the trial...FYIO ...all you need to do is enter the reports name and follow...You can get the reports names in here...Just wanted you to know...Robynhood

 

[MsSherlock]

Just curious how things will unfold with the 16 person Jury on Monday. Will the 16 Jury members be in the Court room when the Judge calls Court to order and then he'll excuse the 2 alternates or will the alternate Jurors be dismissed just prior to Court?

 

[Juballee]

Just curious how things will unfold with the 16 person Jury on Monday. Will the 16 Jury members be in the Court room when the Judge calls Court to order and then he'll excuse the 2 alternates or will the alternate Jurors be dismissed just prior to Court?

I'm curious why they dismiss the alternates before a trial anyway, I actually thought that the whole point of alternates were in case something happened to one of the jurors to excuse them during the trial or deliberations.

What good is it to pick a couple of possible replacement jurors just for the week leading up to trial, when statistically there is a far greater chance of one being excused in the the 12 weeks of the trial than during the one week before.

Unless they are using the time in between to look into the backgrounds of the jurors, perhaps, looking to eliminate one or two before the trial begins?

 

[Arnie M]

Just curious how things will unfold with the 16 person Jury on Monday. Will the 16 Jury members be in the Court room when the Judge calls Court to order and then he'll excuse the 2 alternates or will the alternate Jurors be dismissed just prior to Court?

In the Dennis Oland trial all 14 jurors sat through the whole trial , then 2 were dismissed at the end of the trial , then the remaining 12 were sequestered and began deliberations

Deliberations only last a couple of days and slim chance that a jury member will become incapacitated.

 

[Kamille]

Section 644 of the Criminal Code explains discharge of Jurors.

In Canadian criminal trials, a jury can be reduced to 10 and still be able to deliberate and render a verdict.

The alternates chosen prior to trial are likely there to ensure that the chosen jurors do not have an issue that arises once they actually notify family and employers that they have, in fact been chosen to serve for a certain length and specific period of time. Or any other personal issues with any of the chosen jurors that comes up prior to trial. I would not be surprised to learn that the attorneys for both sides are permitted to check the backgrounds of chosen jurors and alternates, prior to trial, for any undisclosed issues that may have been missed during the selection process.

On an average jury therefore, while all 12 can deliberate at the close of arguments, 2 of them could really be considered "alternates" in that if 2 were to need to be discharged, the rest could continue. In this case, it appears that the judge has requested an extra 2.

ETA: According to Arnie's post about the Dennis Oland trial, it appears that if all 14 are left at the end of the trial, 2 will be dismissed by random draw before deliberations. Or at least that's what was done in that case. I guess we'll wait to hear what instruction the judge in this case has given. Not sure if he can even let the 14 jurors deliberate? Probably not. The Code says 12. It's probably a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12.


MOO

http://yourlaws.ca/criminal-code-canada/644-discharge-juror