Let's try to pick the perfect juror

[MD MOMMY]

I actually think if the defense tries to select young, single men it could actually backfire on them. They may relate to Jesse and Tony and realize it could have been them drawn into KC's web of lies. I think any young single man would be shaken to the core by the consequences suffered by Jesse and Tony simply because they were attracted to KC. My opinion only, of course!

I was on a jury where (get this!) a judge's wife was arrested for drunk driving. She was quite obviously guilty based on the evidence presented, but alot of money was thrown at hiring defense and having a 10 day trial!! (Over a DUI?? Yup.) She was also attractive. The worst jurors? Two senior citizens - a retired teacher (male) and a retired homemaker (female). They were both adamant that they would not vote guilty (the only two) and the woman juror I refer to absolutely REFUSED to discuss it with the remaining jurors, just stating that NOTHING would make her change her mind. Done, over, out. Hung jury.

Slightly off-topic, but on the same jury we had a young male college student. Twice he was late to court. The second time the judge had the clerk call him at home - his mother had to wake him up! He was dismissed and the alternate took his place. LOL!!

IMO that is why the juror couldn't be too young. I'm thinking middle aged 40's, 50's and single. It's probably better that the young college student was dismissed, he probably slept in b/c he was out drinking and driving LOL...just kidding.

 

[Curious Me]

The jurors I hope to see are people who have the ability to see through the defense tactics, and know that "a glove can be manipulated to not fit".

Oh please, give us jurors with strong minds of their own, whether it be a grandma or a young lusty dude, let them not be easily fooled. Let jurors know how long 31 days are in life and death situations.

 

[justthinkin]

I think young single guys might not like that Casey tried to pin the paternal tail on the dude of the week. Lots could see themselves being put into that position, and could harbor animosity for any female who would stoop to that.

I would hope that any jury picked will be sequestered because I would not put it past some Casey supporters to tamper with jurors if the opportunity presented itself.

 

[sleutherontheside]

My theory is that once this case goes to trial that the defense strategy will point to accidental death due to negligence or a continued claim that SODDI. We have seen far too many docs that reference a strained relationship with family. Given the A's erratic behavior, we may be witnessing the biggest group cover up in history. Let's be honest.....if we believed that KC has been dealing with that kind of environment all her life, it may soften our resolve that she did something maliciously. Terrence Lenamon attempted a mental health avenue and JB nixed it. If I had to guess, the defense will be throwing the entire A family under the bus. Perhaps they will attempt to seat a few jurors that either have a family member with a personality disorder or mental health issue. The prosecution on the other hand, will likely look to seat anyone capable of using logic and reason. JMO

 

[Knot4u2no]

I once was hired to represent the defense in jury selection in the penalty phase of a double murder trial. I developed a two factor 10-point scale (factor 1 Position for or against, and factor 2 Group influence/determination). Multiply the numbers and you have a 0 to 100 point rating. I paid minimal attention to the usual demographics, relying primarily on my estimation of both factors based on the prospective jurors’ general demeanor and responses to questions asked by the attorney. The process was much like a poker game, with each side having a limited number of strikes (eliminating a potential juror). We ended up with 11 of 12 jurors favorable to our position based on the selection scale (my recommendation was not followed for the other). When the verdict was in, 9 of the 11 voted against the death penalty.

IMO, Factor 2 is extremely important ... it only takes 1 or 2 determined jurors to change everything.

Russell

 

[cecybeans]

Perhaps they are looking for people who, in casual conversation, exhibit what is apparently the Anthony family motto "Cogito ergo absolvo", or "I think, therefore I acquit" (which has recently changed, it used to be "Cogito ergo consipio", or "I think, therefore I'm in my right mind".)

 

[Balthazar]

I theorize that the defense will want to select jurors who are aware of the Sabrina Aisenberg case and the fallout from that case or others who are aware that forensic labs/LE can make mistakes - even in high profile cases. I theorize that they will NOT want to select anyone who has ever blogged about this case, been a searcher or done anything else, in regards to this case.

As to the prosecution, I theorize they would want to especially select men and women who absolutely love and adore children. I believe they will choose people who are more conservative. I believe they would NOT want to select anyone who has ever blogged about this case, been a searcher or done anything else, in regards to this case.

My hope is that whatever jury is selected, that they will be a good jury that can come to a decision at the end of the trial. I don't want to see this case be a mistrial and I don't want to see it go to appeal. I want it done once and for all with a clear and definative result. I don't want to see people go on for years with all sorts of conspiracy theories and I don't want there to be any doubt about the verdict. I want both the prosecution AND the defense to do the absolute best job humanly possible. I want justice to be served.

 

[marspiter]

No matter what jury is picked the "31 days" is going to be tough to get around. Doesn't really matter what the other evidence is really. The one key detail that is going to sway many many people to a guilty verdict from the get go is going to be the 31 days.

Conspiracy theorists are going to be about the only major pool for the defense to rely on. Granted they could try for a more liberal jury pool that may not select the DP but even then the most liberal person in the world is going to have a hard time dismissing the 31 days with and Casey is going to have to give testimony on the stand to explain it. That and explain it in such a way that it's going to be believable, and given her track record...

Anarchists and people who subscribe to outlandish conspiracy theories may be the only ones who would be willing to accept some of the theories we've seen from the defense. Liberal or conservative I just don't see many reasonable people believing the defenses story.

Yes they can poke holes in all the other evidence all day long. They can trash the FBI, OCSO, and toss who ever they want under the bus. The one thing that is going to sway any reasonable person is going to be the 31 days and Casey's actions. Poking holes in evidence just can't explain it and the jury is going to need that explained to their satisfaction. I just don't see the defense being able to do that.

 

[Just Jayla]

I think you can find a good juror in just about any demographic in Florida right now-so long as they are informed citizens.....Everyone down there that sees the news even once a day is aware of the epidemic of these types of crimes in Florida, and I have to believe they are sick of it.

 

[ynotdivein]

During today's hearing there was considerable waffling (think breakfast special at Denny's) from the defense on the concept of sequestering the jury in this trial. JB indicated that at least part of the defense team is concerned that sequestration might preclude a certain demographic of potential juror. This got me wondering: who does the defense see as a "perfect" potential juror? And what might be the State's vision of same?

Does anyone here have professional experience with jury selection? What qualities will each side be looking for during voir dire?

 

[ynotdivein]

I need to look into desirable DP juror demographics. Off the top of my head......the first group that would stand out as being less likely to be seated on a sequestered jury would be professionals whose livelihood would be placed in jeopardy if they were out of work 2 months or more. Then...let's add in single parents that don't have someone that can watch their children for an extended period of time. Older folks would be less swayed by new forensics but may not be up to a 2 month hotel stay without help from their family members.

This trial will be taking place over summer when kids are out of school requiring child care to be established not only for after hours when another parent is home but daytime when they may not be in camp and rely on a mom there to watch them.

So while I don't know the ideal juror in this scenario...those listed above would present additional issues to overcome more than a regular juror sitting 9-5.

Brought this over from another thread--thanks SOTS for these thoughts.

I get the point about sequestration precluding single parents. I can see where the defense would want to have single parents on the jury (though I think it is a risky move. Then again it's all been risky business for them since day 31.) As for professionals--well... of course this is speaking in generalities but I would think the defense would not want too many jurors who had productive careers looking closely at KC's antics from June '08 onward. JMO... and thanks again!

 

[Bittiness39]

OOOHHHH! Excellent topic. Given my limited experience with jury experts I would assume that the defense would choose (and I know this will seem odd) mothers and mostly white people.

Please, mods and everyone else, don't take this to mean racist...that is not at all what I mean...this is a very delicate topic...but it is as described, if you were her attorneys, whom would you pick? And again this is not to say someone of another race would look at KC in in unfair light.

I highly doubt that the defense will focus on a jury person who is not of the same ethnic make up. This is not at all to say that I think that a jury of not her makeup (genetically speaking) would render a fair and just verdict.

Oh crap! I feel like a fell inside a rabbit's hole on this one. But it is an important and necessary topic. I would imagine the defense would stray from white/black/hispanic/other men who are fathers and concentrate on non-mothers. I sincerely hope I did not offend anyone with this post. Seriously. I mean this.

 

[ZsaZsa]

Ideal Jurists:-
For the Defense- Psychopaths R Us.
For the Prosecution . ME!

 

[Pensfan]

perfect defense juror:

-young, dumb male that might think KC is hot

-someone who has also been investigate by LE previously and wants to use their vote to punish the legal system (questionable moral character)

-someone who has Borderline Personality Disorder and will vote exactly the opposite of the other jurors just to piss them off (your basic total ahole person)

-young female with ADHD, can’t follow all the details, and can “identiify” with aspects of KC’s life

Oops forgot one: a sociopath

 

[Bittiness39]

The prosecution will likely want young mothers that sincerely know what it feels like to be strapped. Literally. Not in KC's world of unicorns and bs strappideness.

 

[kbl8201]

state will be looking for bright, attentive jurors who wont feel personally offended that they have to be spend two months eating lousy hotel food.

the jurors will be looking for unemplooyed high school drop out party girls.

 

[Dignity4Victims]

I'm confused- She is charged with a Capital offense! Why would there be only 6 Jurors?

There will be 12, but I think the poster was referring to the equal strikes each side are allowed to make for potential jurors, Prosecution and Defense.

Hypothetically speaking - 12 jurors divided by each side's choices = 6.

 

[ZsaZsa]

O/T....somewhat...

I see a lot of posts referring to "12 jurors," however, there will only be 6 for this trial. If it was a capital case then there would be 12.

This is the post I was citing- it is a capital case so there should be 12.

 

[Pensfan]

THE perfect presiding juror for the state:

the real Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez

 

[Bittiness39]

THE perfect presiding juror for the state:

the real Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez

Who exactly is ZFG and have you done your due diligence as a poster to suss her rear end out? LOL. Sorry, I had to spike that volley ball...and yes, lol, at your response because...well no one else is gonna register with this defendent. At all. And good post...I just had to inject my humor. I get increasingly tired of seeing little bitty ones taken out by their respective parents when said parents have a lot of outs...KC had a lot of them. NO reason to take out her kid. None.