Change of Venue

[Just Jayla]

I think he's looking for a mostly Spanish jury. He didn't remember to mention Adam Walsh who was the main reason why we have the NCMEC.

This was discussed here somewhere early on-It was speculated, at the time, that he was possibly looking for a Cuban demographic versus a Puerto Rican demographic, so as to avoid the issue of bias regarding Zenaida, reputedly half Puerto Rican.
I think it is not so much the culture, as he himself is Puerto Rican, IIRC, but the communities he is familiar with-i.e., Miami is where he has done a lot of business networking, he went to school there, had a home there, etc. IOW, he thinks he has 'friends' there and maybe he thinks he could get a break with the media there. Unfortunately, Geraldo cannot serve on the jury, so.......
On the other hand, Orlando being a major city in Florida, JB is probably correct to state that getting the same melting pot, including the hispanic population, will be limited-Which comes back to your point, why is he worried about the demo in the manner that he is? Is it simply that he is committed to her jury peers being reflective of her home venue? If it was about her skin color, I would not think there would be an issue as he stresses it.

 

[kitkatbahr]

I found it odd that the Judge stated that the Jurors would go back and forth during this trial. Closest jury pool could be:

All approximate times:

Hillsborough County - 1 1/2 hours away
Manatee County - 2 hours
St. Petersburg - 2 hours
Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale) - 3 1/2 hours
Lake County (Mt Dora) ~1 hour
Tallahassee 4 hours
Miami - 4 hours

One accident on the major highway and the bus could sit for hours. The jurors would have to be up very early to make a 2 hours trip and then sit 8 hours "ALERT and AWAKE" and then travel back. They will be worn out within the first week.

Brevard County is less than an hour from Orlando. I think from Titusville, which is N. Brevard, the sign says Orlando 39 miles. So, that would be pretty close. I live in Central Brevard. It is a very looonnnnnggg county so it would depend on where in the county people come from, but the North end is close to Orlando.

 

[sleutherontheside]

Here is a great site to look into demographics between FL. counties.
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/12001.html

 

[Beyond Belief]

Knowing as much as we do and have followed it so close does that eliminate us sleuthers as jurors?

 

[Spangle]

In parts of MIA, English isn't the first language.. or even a known language. Lot can be lost/misunderstood during translation. To even consider this as a disablity, would set of screaming of bias.

Which would make it hard to set a jury, that understood what is being said, much less understand what is being said (Science evidence, etc)

Truthfully, I think THAT is what JB is shooting for.

I'm not saying it's possible. Only that it seems like JB might think it's possible.

 

[legalmania]

I don't live in Florida and so I do not know the demographics or racial makeup by counties of Florida.

But why would a Hispanic population be sympathetic toward Casey since she's basically thrown a fake, imaginary nanny whom she named "Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez" under the bus by saying (that said fake nanny) kidnapped Caylee?

He wants a jury who will like and trust him. That the evidence is junk science.

 

[Beyond Belief]

john couey's trial was moved to Miami. he murdered in Homasassa Springs.

 

[Spangle]

Knowing as much as we do and have followed it so close does that eliminate us sleuthers as jurors?

One would think so. But we don't get to eliminate ourselves. They ask the questions, we answer them.. they decide if we get to swim or get out of the pool...

I seen a jury selection where most of the jury knew everyone involved in the case, the LE, etc. So of course they heard about the case. One guy got off because he rented from the accused. It was mentioned that it might make things 'uncomfortable' in the future. IT was funny, he kept thinking he was going to be dismissed. Kinda bouncing up, but setting back in his set. Until finally he was released. Tee hee..

 

[Coldpizza]

Knowing as much as we do and have followed it so close does that eliminate us sleuthers as jurors?

Well IMO, one of the first questions they will ask is "How familiar are you with this case?" something along that line...

The question is...how will you answer that? I don't post much on this case but I sure have followed it each and every day. I doubt they would pick me, but my DH said he would find it interesting to be picked!! He would be a very ideal Juror BTW as far as criteria is concerned. Hasn't read much, just general news and is very fair and open minded.

 

[AlwaysShocked]

Beyond: I would think when any one of us here answered the question "Have you done any reading about this case on the internet?" we would be promptly eliminated by the defense.

 

[LinasK]

I think JB desperately wants a very very liberal Jury who are more forgiving of a young Mother who seeks to drink and party, living La Bella Vita as well as who connect with him.

I totally get that.

But why would a Hispanic population be sympathetic toward Casey since she's basically thrown a fake, imaginary nanny whom she named "Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez" under the bus by saying (that said fake nanny) kidnapped Caylee?

But... this is also very true!

 

[Chanler]

I would wager that Caylee would be convicted in any county in Florida and, quite possibly, in the entire United States.

 

[LinasK]

This was discussed here somewhere early on-It was speculated, at the time, that he was possibly looking for a Cuban demographic versus a Puerto Rican demographic, so as to avoid the issue of bias regarding Zenaida, reputedly half Puerto Rican.
I think it is not so much the culture, as he himself is Puerto Rican, IIRC, but the communities he is familiar with-i.e., Miami is where he has done a lot of business networking, he went to school there, had a home there, etc. IOW, he thinks he has 'friends' there and maybe he thinks he could get a break with the media there. Unfortunately, Geraldo cannot serve on the jury, so.......
On the other hand, Orlando being a major city in Florida, JB is probably correct to state that getting the same melting pot, including the hispanic population, will be limited-Which comes back to your point, why is he worried about the demo in the manner that he is? Is it simply that he is committed to her jury peers being reflective of her home venue? If it was about her skin color, I would not think there would be an issue as he stresses it.

Is there a big difference in attitude of Cuban Hispanics vs. Puerto-Ricans? Forgive my ignorance, in California, we mostly encounter Latinos of Mexican descent.

 

[legalmania]

One would think so. But we don't get to eliminate ourselves. They ask the questions, we answer them.. they decide if we get to swim or get out of the pool...

I seen a jury selection where most of the jury knew everyone involved in the case, the LE, etc. So of course they heard about the case. One guy got off because he rented from the accused. It was mentioned that it might make things 'uncomfortable' in the future. IT was funny, he kept thinking he was going to be dismissed. Kinda bouncing up, but setting back in his set. Until finally he was released. Tee hee..

I got picked for jury duty 5 times, as soon as they hear paralegal I'm in.

 

[legalmania]

Is there a big difference in attitude of Cuban Hispanics vs. Puerto-Ricans? Forgive my ignorance, in California, we mostly encounter Latinos of Mexican descent.

Oh yes they mostly hate each other. I can't speak for everybody, but living down there for most of my life, they talk very badly about each other.

 

[manatee]

Is there a big difference in attitude of Cuban Hispanics vs. Puerto-Ricans? Forgive my ignorance, in California, we mostly encounter Latinos of Mexican descent.

politically, yes. Miami Cubans ARE NOT liberal. They are very much conservative republicans. They are afraid of the left side because of what happened in Cuba. Puerto Ricans tend to be more liberal.
Miami is a pretty conservative republican area...I'm not sure why he would want to go there. Most Cubans are PRO capital punishment. :waitasec:
I think he is hoping that they will like HIM!

 

[manatee]

Oh yes they mostly hate each other. I can't speak for everybody, but living down there for most of my life, they talk very badly about each other.

I'm not sure about Hate...but some Cubans do have the attitude that they are superior to other Hispanic groups. As a Cuban (born in Miami), I'm not sure why this is. but it does seem to come out. I think the problem is that the Cubans in Miami feel they've made Miami what it is today. In reality what happened is that the Cubans that left Cuba early on where the professionals, educated, rich families that stood to loose the most from communism. Some of the attitude they have has more to do with social class and not ethnic background. I'm generalizing, of course. MOO

 

[Intermezzo]

I did hear him say the jurors would commute back to their original counties?? Sounds like he is considering Hillsborough/ Tampa area?

I don't understand why JB has his heart set on Miami/Dade. There are plenty of counties in the Southern part of Florida besides Miami/Dade where they could find a jury. Broward, Monroe, Collier, Lee, Palm Beach. I would probably take Lee County out of the mix simply because George's family lives there (Fort Myers, Bonita Springs).

The closest surrounding counties around Orange County appear to be Osceola, Volusia, Lake, Seminole, Brevard and Polk? So maybe Hillsborough isn't in the mix? Who knows? I feel bad for anyone who is going to have to be a juror on this trial.

BBM
I was thinking perhaps Marion County (Ocala) or Alachua County (Gainesville)

 

[ExpectingUnicorns]

Respectfully snipped.

I think JB desperately wants a very very liberal Jury who are more forgiving of a young Mother who seeks to drink and party, living La Bella Vita as well as who connect with him.

While local coverage varies, given the high profile case and the national TV coverage on cable I don't think the source of the Jury pool is going to swing things too much either way -- if they hold true to the demographics and profile of Orlando.

Given that Huckaby just pled guilty to the murder of poor Sandra Cantu, a Mother horribly murdering a child (even though not her own) I think this sets a precedent and refreshes the pressure on Mothers who Murder. The slow plea.

I agree that a liberal jury is what JB is seeking. But considering that Casey, last time I checked, is a Caucasian female, I find it difficult to understand why he thinks playing the minority card will win.

JB is a minority, the (first) person Casey accused is a minority but she is not. I would consider her a typical middle-class white female. I would think a jury of her peers would easily be found up here in north Florida. Yep, we sure do understand these kind of people. (And there's little publicity or coverage up here, either.) We could find a fine group up here to try her!

 

[Intermezzo]

Is there a big difference in attitude of Cuban Hispanics vs. Puerto-Ricans? Forgive my ignorance, in California, we mostly encounter Latinos of Mexican descent.

Oh yes they mostly hate each other. I can't speak for everybody, but living down there for most of my life, they talk very badly about each other.

I have Cuban friends and Puerto Rican friends...and what legalmania posted about them speaking badly of the other culture is the same amongst my friends.