Ross Harris jury to view SUV in which son Cooper died
The jury overseeing the hot-car murder trial against Ross Harris will take a unusual excursion Thursday to view the Hyundai Tucson where 22-month-old Cooper died after spending seven hours strapped inside.
Cobb County Superior Court Judge Mary Staley Clark approved the plan on Wednesday, after both the prosecution and the defense signed off on the plan. Staley Clark agreed with a prosecution motion to allow the jury the chance to get a better look at the dimensions inside the actual SUV.
Harris’ defense lawyers had opposed the viewing, saying it was unnecessary. But lead prosecutor Chuck Boring obtained Staley Clark’s approval for the viewing, after saying the jury should be allowed to view “the murder weapon.”
On Thursday, the 2011 Hyundai Tucson will be brought to a spot just outside the Glynn County courthouse. The area will be cordoned off to prohibit public access.
The jury is expected to leave the courtroom and venture outside the courthouse to look at the car at some point during Thursday’s trial testimony. Jurors will not be allowed to get inside the car and will be told not to talk about the SUV or ask questions about it, Staley Clark said. The rear-facing red car seat in which Cooper was strapped into will also be put back in to the position it was in on the day Cooper died.
Staley Clark has designated spots for prosecutors and defense attorneys to observe the viewing. The judge has also designated an area for the news media to watch it as well.
On Tuesday, Harris waived his right to be present for the viewing.
About the Author
Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.
