BRUNSWICK — Lawyers on Tuesday began questioning three dozen potential jurors in the Justin Ross Harris hot-car murder trial.
Jury selection began anew here this week after Superior Court Judge Mary Staley Clark determined in May that Harris could not receive a fair trial in Cobb County.
>> Check out the AJC’s Breakdown podcast to follow the trial
Harris stands charged with murder for the death of his son Cooper, who died after being left in a hot car on June 18, 2014. Harris also faces charges that he allegedly sent sexually explicit messages to underaged girls. His lawyers have insisted that Harris did not intentionally kill his son and that the incident was a tragic accident.
Here are five things we know about the potential jurors so far.
1. They’re tech savvy.
More than a third of the 36 potential jurors questioned said they have worked in the computer field. Only three weren't familiar with Facebook, and four don't regularly text on their phones. Nearly a dozen said they've used a computer messaging system to communicate with someone they didn't know. However, only four said they were familiar with the Kik messaging system used by Harris.
2. They’re familiar with the case.
Staley Clark moved the trial 300 miles away from Cobb County in hopes there would be more jurors who were unfamiliar with the case or who hadn’t made up their minds. However, on Monday, 27 of the 36 potential jurors said they had heard about the case in the news media, and 19 said they had already formed an opinion as to Harris’ guilt or innocence. Those who said they’d already made up their minds will be questioned individually.
3. They’ve experienced heartache.
Fifteen of the 36 people questioned said they or someone they know had experienced the death of a small child.
4. They’re familiar with the complications of marriage.
Twenty-nine of the three dozen prospective jurors knew a family member, friend or co-worker who’d had an affair. Thirteen had gone through a divorce, and three said they knew a friend or family member with a sex addiction.
5. They know people in law enforcement.
Twenty either are members of or have close friends or family members who have training or experience in law enforcement.
Jury selection is slated to last for two weeks. Opening statements and testimony are scheduled to begin Oct. 3.
You can follow every twist and turn of the case at AJC.com.
Harris is also the subject of the second season of the AJC's podcast series "Breakdown," which will follow the trial's developments. Follow live updates on Twitter at @AJCBreakdown.
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