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Peterson Trial Focuses On Jury Issues
Peterson Trial Focuses On Jury Issues
POSTED: 8:14 AM PST February 9, 2004
UPDATED: 9:29 AM PST February 9, 2004
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- With a made-for-TV movie ready to air this week, jury issues were at the forefront of the Scott Peterson double murder trial Monday as the judge and attorneys were expected to tackle several key requests including sequestering the panel during deliberations and whether or not the jury pool in San Mateo is too tainted for a fair trial.
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Los Angeles-based defense attorney Mark Geragos has fought to have the trial moved to Southern California ever since the issue of a venue change came up in Modesto. He lost that battle when the trial was moved from Stanislaus County to Redwood City.
But prosecutor James Brazelton said he would not be in favor of moving the trial again.
"We don't want to go all over the county...courtroom hopping, judge shopping or whatever," Brazelton said as he entered the courthouse Monday. "I think everywhere in California someone has heard about the case. We'd just as soon it be here as anywhere else."
When asked if he was ready to go forward, Brazelton quickly answered: "Absolutely."
To bolster his case for a move, Geragos' staff has been conducting telephone interviews of potential jurors in San Mateo County. One of those called was San Carlos resident Mary Hanna.
"They asked me what kinds of things would influence me, like his demeanor; and my opinions about other things like the death penalty and extra-marital affairs," Hanna told the San Mateo Times. "But I was called for jury duty less than a year ago so I'm off the hook."
Among the questions Geragos' team was asking potential jurors were:
Is DNA evidence credible?
If DNA evidence is the only evidence available, would you convict Scott Peterson?
Would you believe police if they testified?
Opinion of the death penalty
Opinion of extra-marital affairs
What's your knowledge of boating?
Age, income, religion, political affiliation.
Most legal experts say Geragos faces an uphill battle when it comes to getting a trial moved a second time......
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