The next round of qualifying is set to occur Monday afternoon as the jury selection process in the Ross Harris trial nears the final stretch.
The length of that stretch remains uncertain. It’ll depend on the number of alternates required by Cobb County Superior Court Judge Mary Staley, who has yet to provide a number.
Twenty-six jurors have already qualified to sit in judgment of Harris, charged with intentionally leaving his 22-month-old son inside a hot car to die. A minimum of 30 jurors, a baseline expected to be exceeded today, are needed before prosecutors and defense attorneys exercise the nine “peremptory” challenges afforded each side.
It’s likely, based on their responses to questions about bias and knowledge of the case, that six more jurors will be qualified Monday, including Juror 51, who appeared more open-minded about Harris’ guilt or innocence than any of the citizens previously interviewed.
The wheelchair-bound grandmother told the court Friday she had "jumped to a conclusion" about Harris' guilt but has questions about the investigation following a second look. Despite health woes, she said she hoped to be selected to serve.
For every alternate spot three jurors will need to be qualified. Most legal observers say they expect at least four will be necessary, requiring the qualification of 42 jurors total.
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