Dozens of potential jurors in the Justin Ross Harris hot-car murder trial have one thing in common: they've already formed opinions about whether Harris is innocent or guilty.
Thirty-six prospective jurors showed up to be questioned on Monday, the beginning of the second week of jury selection in the the dramatic case. Like last week, most said they at least knew something about the case.
Harris is accused of murdering his son by leaving him in a hot car to die in June 2014.
Here are five things to know about what happened at jury selection on Monday.
1. On track
Cobb County Court Administrator Tom Charron said he believes enough jurors will be deemed eligible for the final pool by the end of this week. Last week, 23 people made the cut for the final jury pool. “We’re looking real good, Charron said. “I think all the parties are happy where we are.”
2. Porn again
Defense attorney Maddox Kilgore asked how many of the second group of 36 jurors had significant others or children who viewed pornographic web sites. Only three — all women — raised their hands. Two of them have sons.
3. The magic number
At least 42 potential jurors are needed for the final jury pool, from which the main jury of 12, plus up to four alternates, will be selected. Charron said, however, he hopes to have 46 or even 50 people qualified by the end of the week in case something happens that affects a juror’s ability to serve.
4. How much do they know?
Although 35 of the 36 prospective jurors on Monday said they’d seen reports about the case in the news media, Charron said many had just read a story or heard something about it. That’s far different from jurors in Cobb County, who had been subjected to constant news about the case for two years. Superior Court Judge Mary Staley Clark moved the trial to Brunswick in hopes of finding a more fair and impartial jury.
Testimony in the trial is set to begin on Oct. 3.
You can follow the latest developments in the case on Twitter at @AJCBreakdown and at AJC.com. AJC reporters Christian Boone (@reporterJCB) and Bill Rankin (@ajccourts) will be in Brunswick for the duration of the trial.
» 5 things to know about the new Justin Ross Harris trial
Harris is also the subject of the second season of the AJC's podcast series "Breakdown," which will follow the trial's developments.
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