Jury Selection Begins
Posted July 10, 2006 by Anthony McCartney
TAVARES—Potential jurors would be hard-pressed to not know something big was happening this morning at the Lake County Courthouse.
The scene out front was like a sporting event this morning, with parking attendants directing traffic and a line snaking around the front of the building.
It was also hard to miss the numerous satellite trucks parked out front, as well as the reporters broadcasting live a few feet from the front door.
By 7:45 a.m., the line of potential jurors and others with court business was at its longest; 10 minutes later it was halved as dozens of people moved through the courthouse’s sole metal detector.
Once inside, it was hurry up and wait, though. Potential jurors were sent to courtrooms adjoining where today’s hearing would be held, Courtroom No. 6.
By almost 9 o’clock, half an hour after court was supposed to begin, Courtroom 6 remained closed off.
8:47 a.m. Mark Lunsford arrives at the Lake County courthouse. Dressed in a blue shirt and striped tie – NO BALLCAP!! – Lunsford went through the metal detector and milled in the lobby briefly before being led to another room.—Anthony McCartney
Citrus County East
Posted July 10, 2006 by Anthony McCartney
9:05 a.m.
TAVARES – Although I’m sitting in Lake County, two counties away from Inverness, where John Evander Couey will be tried, Courtroom 6 at the Lake County Courthouse is now temporarily “part” of Citrus County.
The courtroom is being staffed by Citrus County bailiffs, Citrus County Judge Ric Howard is presiding and all court orders issued in Citrus are in effect here.
“This is Citrus County ground right now, folks,” a sheriff’s deputy told reporters as they worked out seating arrangements before the start of court.
9:11 a.m.
John Couey walks in, wearing a gray suit, flanked by two deputies. Instantly, all eyes are on him. Lunsford looks at him briefly, camera shutters flap rapidly and the room goes quiet.
The only sound is of the deputies unshackling Couey.
At 9:13 a.m., Judge Ric Howard enters the courtroom.
He’s dressed, for those keeping track, in a black robe. (Shocker!)
Charity's Finances, Computer Porn Out In Case
Posted July 10, 2006 by Anthony McCartney
TAVARES—It takes all of about 12 minutes for Judge Ric Howard to decide six motions brought before him about evidence and other pre-trial matters.
The motions focused on a variety of issues, including whether photos of Jessica Lunsford’s body and other graphic images will be shown to the jury. Howard held off on that one, reserving judgment until the prosecution showed him which photos they wanted to present.
Watch News Channel 8 Video
Another motion had to do with whether Mark Lunsford could be questioned about the finances of the Jessica Marie Lunsford Foundation, and whether Lunsford could be asked about pornographic pictures that were found on a home computer. In both cases, Judge Howard said defense attorneys Dan Lewan and Alan Fanter can’t question Lunsford about either issue.
(Prosecutor Ric Ridgway argued that the images found on the Lunsford home computer did not result in either charges, and one image that may have depicted an underage subject was in a temporary memory file, and there was no indication it had been downloaded.
Lewan argued that in regards to the foundation, all witnesses financial interests should be taken into account by the jury. As for the pictures, he said he believed it “shows favorable treatment of the witness.” Regardless, Howard didn’t agree that either issue fell under relevant evidence.)
A final motion requested by the prosecution will keep at least some of Citrus Sheriff’ Jeff Dawsy’s statements out of the trial.
While the exact statements prosecutors wanted to suppress weren’t mentioned in court, Dawsy was critical of Couey in the days after the discovery of Jessica’s body. Some of those statements focused on alleged drug abuse by Couey.
That includes the following statement in a CNN interview, posted on CNN.com.
“This guy is not a quality person by any means. And, you know, he is also, my knowledge, a crackhead. And I don’t think we’re actually ever going to be able to get a valid timeline about him. He’s truly a piece of trash.”
Ridgway, the prosecutor, argued that the statements were made based on information from a confession that has been ruled inadmissible during the trial. Lewan didn’t disagree, and Howard said statements made by Dawsy wouldn’t be heard by the jury.—Anthony McCartney
A Break In The Action
Posted July 10, 2006 by Anthony McCartney
TAVARES—It’s nearing noon and there’s been no new action in the Couey trial in the last couple of hours.
Judge Ric Howard suspended proceedings to “pre-qualify” a panel of potential jurors.
The pre-qualifying is going on in a couple adjacent courtrooms, where court staff is checking on the availability of jurors before bringing them in front of defense and prosecution attorneys. Each side has a set number of challenges that will disqualify at least some people in the pool.
In all, 16 people are needed for the jury – 12 jurors and four alternates.
Citrus Seeks Closure
Posted July 10, 2006 by Chris Chmura
Tampa Tribune Video: Community Reaction | City Prepares | City Manager Interview
By JULIE PACE
The Tampa Tribune
INVERNESS - Much of Inverness’ history can be found in the historic Old Courthouse, a stately building erected in 1912 that has been transformed into a museum.
A block away, at the new Citrus County Courthouse, John Couey will be tried in the rape and murder of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford.
Just days before the trial is set to begin, this city of about 7,200 people is quiet. The local newspaper, the Citrus County Chronicle, is running a front-page story about weeds, and the only sign of the impending trial is a news crew from Court TV parked outside the courthouse.
About Inverness:
- Population is 7,200
- 92 percent white
- 5 percent black
- Median Household Income is $26,604
The atmosphere is expected to change when the trial begins, as gawkers and media from around the county descend on Inverness.
Locals say an event of this magnitude has never happened in the city. They’re prepared for crowded streets and busier businesses, but many people don’t expect their daily lives to be affected.
Others are relieved the trial is finally here. Citrus County, they say, needs closure.
The Deco Café is about 100 yards from the courthouse where Couey will be tried. Monday morning, the café opens to its familiar crowd of regulars. Owner David and Sibylle Kurtz greet most by name, ready to serve up “the usual” beverage and snack.
Conversations about the weather and summer vacation plans fill the small café, but David Kurtz says he hears customers talk about the upcoming trial everyday.
Most have opinions, he says, but all want a fair trial.
“What we are very concerned about is that justice is served,” Kurtz, 61, says.
The Couey trial is the largest event in Inverness that Kurtz can remember since moving here 12 years ago. He’s not sure what to expect - probably larger café crowds and more media - but said business will go on as normal.
“We’re not going to do anything different,” he says.
George Hollis and his friends also don’t think the trial will affect their daily routine. Each morning, Hollis, 64, joins three friends for a seven mile bicycle ride from the town of Hernando to Inverness.
The group of retired friends always stops at the Deco for coffee and fruit to refuel. They sit at the same sidewalk table and don’t plan to give up their spot just because a national news event is taking place across the street.
“We’re going to put a little reserved sign here,” Hollis says.
The men joke about life in a small town, but say that makes the Couey trial feel personal.
Everyone read the newspaper during the first days Jessica Lunsford was missing, George Pratt, 71, says. They watched as Mark Lunsford combed the woods with a search party, and remember learning the gruesome details of Jessica’s death.
Much attention has been focused on the fact that the crime happened in a small town, but John Oglio says the crime would have been just as appalling, and the reaction just as strong, anywhere.
“Anytime something like this happens to a child, all of America feels the same way,” Oglio says.
If This Blogger Should Die in the Next Hour …
Posted July 10, 2006 by Anthony McCartney
1:30 p.m.
TAVARES—No word on where potential jurors went to grub, but we know where they didn’t go.
They didn’t go to the trailer that houses a bail bondsman and deli – all in the same space. (The deli was closed.)
And if they went to the Beef O’Brady’s about a block from the courthouse – less restaurant than shack – they’re probably still waiting to be served.
With only two waitresses – who did an admirable job of trying to keep up – people were still storming out or opting not to wait for a table to free up.
When the food did arrive, many weren’t impressed. (Including yours truly, who is now a bit concerned about the strange aftertaste coming from the club wrap.)
I’m sure I’ll survive, but just in case one of my next posts involves a bunch of garbled letters (like from a head hitting a keyboard), you know why.
... And A Few Seconds Later
Posted July 10, 2006 by Anthony McCartney
1:30 p.m. (and a few seconds)
TAVARES—John Couey walks back into the courtroom, head slumped down.
He is photographed dozens of times in the short walk from a back room to the defense table.
Couey drops into the chair and waits quietly while a deputy unshackles him.
Moments later, Judge Ric Howard is trying to make arrangements for Couey to listen to afternoon proceedings through a pair of headphones.
The headphones are placed on his head – they look huge – but they don’t work.
By the time the first potential juror is brought in, Couey has ditched the headphones.
Meanwhile, Back In Inverness
Posted July 10, 2006 by Anthony McCartney
Tampa Tribune Video: City Manager Interview | Community Reaction | City Prepares
BY JULIE PACE
THE TAMPA TRIBUNE
INVERNESS—It is city manager Frank DiGiovanni’s job to make sure Inverness runs smoothly during the trial.
Barricades are already up outside the courthouse, parking spaces have been dedicated for television news crews, and a sheriff’s crisis management van is on standby.
DiGiovanni, along with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and county courts department, has been getting ready for the trial since earlier this year. It has been necessary preparation for a trial that involves such a heinous crime, he said.
“National exposure for this particular event is going to be dramatic,” he said.
Even with plans to control crowds and ease parking problems in place, DiGiovanni admits there is no way to be prepared for what happens here when the trial starts.
Regardless of what transpires within the court room, or among the crowd outside, DiGiovanni said he is committed to helping media and other out-town-visitors have a comfortable stay in Inverness.
“We still want to be that small town, friendly group that welcomes people,” he said.
The First Potential Juror
Posted July 10, 2006 by Anthony McCartney
1:40 p.m.
TAVARES—The woman walks in, a bit unsure of where to go. She is the first potential juror
They bring her in through a door a Judge Ric Howard’s right. She walks to the witness box at Howard’s left.
The judge explains who Couey is and introduces all the attorneys.
Howard asks whether serving on the jury would present a financial hardship.
She says yes – she just graduated from flight attendant school in Atlanta and is constantly on call. Furthermore, she says she had a relative who was molested, and that would influence her judgment in the case.
The judge and lawyers ask her more questions: Has she heard of Jessica Marie Lunsford? Has she seen news accounts of the case? Does she know Couey or any of the lawyers?
Seven minutes after she walked in, the woman is excused by Howard.
She walks out, in a gap between the defense and prosecution tables, through the front door.
Boys Will Be Boys
Posted July 10, 2006 by Anthony McCartney
1:50 p.m.
TAVARES—The second potential juror comes in, and for a few moments, it seems like he might be a likely candidate for the first juror’s spot.
He can afford to serve on the jury, he tells Judge Ric Howard.
He can set aside any opinion of Couey and weigh the case impartially, he says.
But there is one hardship, he tells the judge.
He has no one to watch his 15 year old son for the two to three weeks the trial may take.
Judge Howard asks who’s watching the man’s son now. He’s alone, the man says.
“Do you think 2 or 3 weeks would be too long to leave him on his own,” Howard asks.
The reply is quick. “Oh yeah.”
The courtroom fills with laughter.
Howard quickly excuses the man.
Oh, THAT'S Why He Needs The Headphones
Posted July 10, 2006 by Anthony McCartney
The headphones I mentioned earlier are so Couey can listen in on sidebars, but not have to approach the bench himself.
This Guy Could Be First Juror
Posted July 10, 2006 by Anthony McCartney
2:02 p.m.
TAVARES—The lawyers are in a short conference at the judge’s bench.
For minutes, defense attorney Dan Lewan has been grilling a potential juror about what he knows about the case.
The man has heard of the case and remembers vaguely some of the evidence. He remembers reading news reports of the finding of Jessica Marie Lunsford’s body, and thinks Couey’s relatives may have told deputies where she was buried.
(It was a confession – deemed inadmissible for the trial – that led detectives to Lunsford’s body.)
After the conference, Judge Ric Howard excuses the man to a back room.
It’s not clear whether he’s on the jury, but he’s a step closer than any of the previous candidates.
"You Gave Up Your Rights"
Posted July 10, 2006 by Anthony McCartney
2:10 p.m.
TAVARES—Five potential jurors into the questioning, and it becomes clear that finding people who haven’t heard of Lunsford or Couey will be difficult.
Most have seen television news reports of the case or read newspaper stories about Lunsford’s killing.
One man tells the judge he heard about the case through Fox’s America’s Most Wanted television show.
The fifth potential juror – a physical therapist whose parents live in Citrus County – admits he doesn’t watch the news, but he has heard about the case.
He has a three-month old daughter.
He said that if he were on the jury and finds Couey guilty, he’ll opt for the death penalty.
“You take away the innocence of a child, you have no rights. You gave up your rights,” he says
He Better Hope His Wife Isn’t Watching Court TV
Posted July 10, 2006 by Anthony McCartney
2:28 p.m.
TAVARES—The sixth person to come up as a potential juror thinks he’s heard of Couey’s case.
It’s the one where the girl was taken out front of the car wash, he says fairly confidently.
“Actually, that’s not the case,” Judge Ric Howard says.
Howard doesn’t offer any more details about Lunsford’s case—telling the juror that was the Carlie Brucia case—but proceeds with introducing the attorneys.
The man, who manages a pest control company, says he could serve on the jury for the next few weeks.
He has recently moved down from South Carolina.
Defense attorney Dan Lewan asks the man how he gets his news.
“Usually my wife is the biggest gossiper, so I get most of my stuff for her,” he says.
The questioning ends soon after that, and he’s escorted to a back room to join two other potnential jurors.
The Fourth Potential Juror
Posted July 10, 2006 by Anthony McCartney
2:37 p.m.
TAVARES—The seventh person to come up as a potential juror is a retiree who has been gone for the last month and a half or more.
Defense attorney Dan Lewan asks the man if he has any hardship issues that might prevent him from serving.
Any trips, medical appointments, surgeries that might preclude him, Lewan asks.
The man says no.
Lewan asks if he has to take care of anyone at home.
“I have a wife, but she’s old enough to take care of herself,” he says.
An older woman in the audience who attends many of the Couey proceedings, claps her hands softly. A couple people chuckle.
After a couple more quick questions, the man is escorted to a back room where he becomes the fourth man who remains a potential juror.
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