Selection of the Jury - Oj Simpson Case
Selection of the Jury - OJ Simpson Case
The jury selection of OJ Simpson trial started on September 24, 1994 in the judge's courtroom. Present that day were: 250 potential members of the jury, the judge, Simpson, and lawyers for both sides. The Judge explained procedures to the potential jury members and warned them that the trial might last several months. The judge told the potential jurors they must complete a 79-page, 294-question questionnaire, including questions proposed by both the prosecution and defense. In addition, they were to complete a one-page "hardship" questionnaire designed to determine jurors who could be initially excluded from the selection process. Potential jurors complained about the lengthy questionnaire, which took about four hours for many people to complete. They also were overheard muttering complaints about the personal nature of many of the questions.
The Jury selection continued for two months. The Judge excluded from consideration potential jurors who violated his strict rules relating to exposure to the media. One juror was excluded for watching cartoons with her children, another for waking up to a clock radio. On October 18, a book about the couple’s relationship hit the bookstores, causing the judge to order a temporary halt to jury selection and to tell potential jurors "to stay out of bookstores." A week later there was another controversy, the prosecutor had publicly complained that potential jurors were "lying" to get on the Simpson jury and that they all ought to be given lie-detector tests. It was refused by the judge. During the VOIR DIRE process, each potential juror took a seat at a conference table. Also seated at the table, were lawyers for both sides and Simpson. Jurors who give answers that indicate that they have prejudged the case can be challenged for cause, others can be excluded using a limited number of peremptory challenges. Attorneys can exercise their peremptory challenges for almost any reason -
The jury selection of OJ Simpson trial started on September 24, 1994 in the judge's courtroom. Present that day were: 250 potential members of the jury, the judge, Simpson, and lawyers for both sides. The Judge explained procedures to the potential jury members and warned them that the trial might last several months. The judge told the potential jurors they must complete a 79-page, 294-question questionnaire, including questions proposed by both the prosecution and defense. In addition, they were to complete a one-page "hardship" questionnaire designed to determine jurors who could be initially excluded from the selection process. Potential jurors complained about the lengthy questionnaire, which took about four hours for many people to complete. They also were overheard muttering complaints about the personal nature of many of the questions.
The Jury selection continued for two months. The Judge excluded from consideration potential jurors who violated his strict rules relating to exposure to the media. One juror was excluded for watching cartoons with her children, another for waking up to a clock radio. On October 18, a book about the couple’s relationship hit the bookstores, causing the judge to order a temporary halt to jury selection and to tell potential jurors "to stay out of bookstores." A week later there was another controversy, the prosecutor had publicly complained that potential jurors were "lying" to get on the Simpson jury and that they all ought to be given lie-detector tests. It was refused by the judge. During the VOIR DIRE process, each potential juror took a seat at a conference table. Also seated at the table, were lawyers for both sides and Simpson. Jurors who give answers that indicate that they have prejudged the case can be challenged for cause, others can be excluded using a limited number of peremptory challenges. Attorneys can exercise their peremptory challenges for almost any reason -