6:00 PM: The court moved efficiently through 18 jurors today. They’re making quicker work of striking people for cause and even releasing those people early. As has been typical, a lot of the people coming in of various races, genders, and ages, say that they believe the defendants are guilty already and their opinions would be hard to change at trial.
Five people from Friday’s panel were qualified for the pool, plus three from the panel of Day 1. They are Jurors 274, 276, 281, 282, and 291 from Panel 7; and Jurors 773, 4, and 5 from Panel 1. That’s a total of 55 of the needed 64. One of them, Juror #5, was qualified based on her answers, but the defense argued strongly to strike her. When Judge Walmsley denied their motion, defense attorneys Kevin Gough and Laura Hogue pivoted to point out that as the mother of a young child whose child care wraps up at a certain hour each day, if court goes long one day or her child gets sick in the middle of a trial day, it could create all kinds of hardship so it’s better to boot her now.
Juror #5 said that Roddie Bryan’s decision to video the fatal chase of Ahmaud Arbery was “disgusting” and “vicious.” Gough says her “body language” combined with her words make her reaction to Bryan “stand out.” Prosecutor Linda Dunikoski argued that the juror’s statements in her questionnaire were neutral. The judge agreed with that and says she’s qualified, but also agreed to take the daycare issue under advisement, although he says the Court doesn’t think that’s enough of a basis to strike her. He told Gough if he can find some law on it, he’ll take a listen.
Juror #274, W/F, has seen national news about #AhmaudArbery's shooting. Can follow the law, give fair consideration to defense. She once shot at & scared away a home invader during a blackout; she cried as she recounted the incident: "I'm sorry. I thought I was over it" @wsbradio
— Veronica Waters (@MissVWaters) October 29, 2021
Juror #274 says she saw no courthouse protesters today. "That's their right. They can do that as long as they don't get in my face." Does she think race might be issue? “Probably, but I can’t read their minds, I wouldn’t know.” #AhmaudArbery @wsbradio pic.twitter.com/4aO1sqKr5v
— Veronica Waters (@MissVWaters) October 29, 2021
Defense attys ask #274 why she "wouldn't be friends" w/the McMichaels. She says they just wouldn’t ever meet; don't move in same circles. It's also "scary" they've been accused of a crime. "I’m fearful of them, I guess...They’re driving around with a gun!" #AhmaudArbery @wsbradio pic.twitter.com/1vsCkgdnnb
— Veronica Waters (@MissVWaters) October 29, 2021
Juror 276 says she'll listen to whatever either side gives & render a verdict based on it. She's called 911 several times re: a neighbor w/mental health issues, who's thrown a toaster oven at her. She just goes inside when it happens. Cops handled it well. #AhmaudArbery @wsbradio
— Veronica Waters (@MissVWaters) October 29, 2021
#276 saw a TV show Sunday, "The Killing of #AhmaudArbery," & is asked if it was slanted or neutral. She thinks it slanted toward "this wasn't right;" says, "I still didn’t know what happened. Did Travis threaten Arbery. Did Arbery jump at him...still a lot of questions” @wsbradio pic.twitter.com/36hDXgttlA
— Veronica Waters (@MissVWaters) October 29, 2021
#276 saw a TV show Sunday, "The Killing of #AhmaudArbery," & is asked if it was slanted or neutral. She thinks it slanted toward "this wasn't right;" says, "I still didn’t know what happened. Did Travis threaten Arbery. Did Arbery jump at him...still a lot of questions” @wsbradio pic.twitter.com/36hDXgttlA
— Veronica Waters (@MissVWaters) October 29, 2021
Two more strikes. Then, Juror #281, W/F. Recognizes name of a defense witness. Doesn't seek out news. Recognizes name of a defense witness. Has heard only that these men shot #AhmaudArbery. Says repeatedly she can be a fair juror. @wsbradio pic.twitter.com/VrIKYrxCBu
— Veronica Waters (@MissVWaters) October 29, 2021
Juror #282, W/F, has "real mixed feelings about this whole case. I don’t know if we ever know what really happened; I just think there’s always 2 sides to everything.” Has seen #AhmaudArbery video 2-3x wonders "why they didn't call a cop instead of doing what they did”@wsbradio pic.twitter.com/BWCE2dl2co
— Veronica Waters (@MissVWaters) October 29, 2021
Juror 282 can set aside negative feelings directed at all 3 defendants, she says, consider defenses, follow judge's instructions. Did race play a role in shooting? “I would assume that,” she says cautiously/uncertainly. “I don’t know why...just assuming" #AhmaudArbery @wsbradio pic.twitter.com/YKA0k39lln
— Veronica Waters (@MissVWaters) October 29, 2021
Juror 291, W?/F. Husband told her when #AhmaudArbery video was released, his coworkers thought they were guilty. She herself has not seen the video. “The law’s the law,” she said, so will follow the judge on that. Says she would "absolutely" be a fair, impartial juror. @wsbradio pic.twitter.com/ZMxUZFTxv5
— Veronica Waters (@MissVWaters) October 29, 2021
From Day 1 panel in #AhmaudArbery shooting case: Jurors 773 & 4 are qualified. Defense arguing hard against Juror #5. Court thinks her qualified, so defense lobbies saying they're concerned abt childcare what-ifs: What if her kid gets sick midday? She'll have to leave! @wsbradio https://t.co/I1QFgteFix
— Veronica Waters (@MissVWaters) October 29, 2021
9:00 AM: Judge Walmsley took the bench a few minutes before 9:00 this morning. He greeted the jurors, swore them, in, asked the statutory questions, and prosecutor Linda Dunikoski began the State’s part of the panel voir dire. Travis McMichael attorney Jason Sheffield did the panel voir dire for the defense.
Catching you up on the two other jurors I didn't tweet about but who were qualified for the pool Thursday in the #AhmaudArbery shooting case: Jurors 205 and 209. @wsbradio 1/ pic.twitter.com/DKSVE9kCCn
— Veronica Waters (@MissVWaters) October 29, 2021
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