Justin Ross Harris trial: 4 jurors recall personal tragedies

» AJC’s Breakdown podcast tracks the trial

Lawyers for the defense and prosecution questioned 11 jurors. Here are some of the heart-wrenching stories they told.

1. The death of children

One man said he may have a hard time sitting as a juror in the case because his wife has had three stillborn babies. His voice quavering, he said he can't watch TV shows that deal with children who have medical issues because of his personal heartache. Cobb County prosecutor Jesse Evans, however, later questioned the juror as to whether he thought he could put those thoughts aside and sit as a fair and impartial juror. "I would do my best if I was chosen," he said. He was declared eligible to serve.

2. A husband’s devastating accident

Another prospective juror, a kindergarten teacher, disclosed that her husband suffered a catastrophic injury at work several years ago when he worked at the water department. She noted she has had to care for him ever since.

3. A father’s terminal cancer

One other juror, a man who sells collectibles and computer games on eBay, said he moved to the Golden Isles from California more than a decade ago because his father was suffering from terminal cancer. He also said an extremely close friend of his unexpectedly committed suicide by hanging.

4. Abused as a child

Yet another juror revealed that she’d been removed from her home when she was young because her parents abused her.

Jury selection will continue today and into next week.