Jury Selection Day 9 - May 9, 2019
Juror questioning continued, with cause challenges to Thomas Lee and Taylor Medlin denied and jury strikes set for Monday.
Full day summary
1. Jury Selection
Individual juror questioning continued, with several prospective jurors excused and six qualified; the court set jury strikes for Monday.
Highlights
Jury selectionjury eventThe court excused Kimberly Hughes after she acknowledged a preformed opinion about guilt and uncertainty about remaining fair after graphic evidence involving children.Jury selectionrulingAfter argument over cause challenges, the court found Thomas Lee qualified, citing his repeated statements that he would hear both sides and consider background and mental-health evidence.Jury selection“Once you have brutally murdered multiple people and you know, quote, knew it was right or wrong, none of that matters anymore because the matter of upbringing, if you knew it was wrong and you still did it then here we are.”— Taylor MedlinMedlin's answer prompted a defense challenge to his qualification for capital sentencing.Jury selectionrulingAfter the defense challenged Taylor Medlin for cause, the court found him qualified based on the totality of his responses, including his willingness to hear all evidence before deciding punishment.Jury selectionprocedural actionThe court announced that qualified jurors would return Monday for jury strikes, with openings anticipated Tuesday afternoon and witnesses beginning Wednesday morning.