The latest: Prosecutors and defense attorneys questioned seven more prospective jurors on Tuesday in the Justin Ross Harris murder trial, including a student from Kennesaw who was living in Alaska at the time of Cooper Harris' death. He's also an Army reservist who hates social media and said he believes "everybody is entitled to impartial judgment." After the next round of challenges, which should occur Wednesday, a total of 36 or so jurors will be qualified to serve. If Cobb County Superior Court Judge Mary Staley wants to use four alternates in addition to the 12 jurors who will be seated for the trial, at least 42 jurors must be qualified.
The charges: Ross Harris, accused of intentionally leaving his 22-month-old son Cooper inside a hot car to die, is charged with malice murder, two counts of felony murder, cruelty to children in the first and second degree, criminal attempt to commit a felony and dissemination of harmful materials to minors.
Emotion in court: A Powder Springs woman who is a logistics coordinator and oversees 33 bank branches said she believed Harris intentionally killed his son. She has two children and three grandchildren, including a 2-year-old grandson. Asked why she could not be an impartial juror, she began to break down when she said, "This was a defenseless child. My grandson reminds me so much of Cooper."
Quote of the day: "You wrote that you think he's a psychopath?" Harris' lawyer, Maddox Kilgore asked Juror #66 about her questionnaire. The woman, who lives in Vinings, just up the street from Cooper's daycare and Harris' former office at Home Depot, confirmed she had indeed written just that. She added, "It's impossible for me to imagine this wasn't purposefully done. I think he did it."
Hot courtroom: Shortly before court convened in the morning, a member of the judge's staff walked in and announced what everyone already knew: "We have no air conditioning." Courthouse staff soon brought in some fans and much-needed circulation. As prosecutor Chuck Boring questioned one prospective juror, he made note of the ever-present humming sound. "You'd think we're in 1920s South Georgia, bringing in box fans," he said. By midday, the AC was functioning properly once again.
What's next: Jury selection continues Wednesday and should wrap up sometime this week.
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