How the jury was selected in the millionaire's murder trial.
The story of New York real estate heir Robert Durst has been chronicled for the masses in lurid and often gory detail.
The process has played out in the Airport Courthouse near LAX, in a cross between a casting call and a group interrogation. Prospective jurors have faced questioning in open court about their deepest beliefs and shared some of their most painful memories while lawyers try to pinpoint biases and weed out those they guess will be unfavorable to their case.
“It was an amazing case that was won in jury selection,” said Robert Hirschhorn, a lawyer who worked as the defense team’s jury consultant in Galveston. He was upfront about liking Durst, saying, “I’d let Bob babysit my kids.” Deputy Dist. Atty. John Lewin, the lead prosecutor, also asked potential jurors whether they’d view Durst differently just because he was aged and infirm.
Some defense teams with ample resources may even have a “shadow jury,” where a group is hired that resembles the general makeup of the panel in court and attends each day of the case as a member of the public. Lawyers get real-time commentary from the “shadow” group. “I think in any high-publicity case, the goal is to determine which people have such a strong preconception that they can’t perform their jury function,” said David Chesnoff, a veteran Las Vegas attorney who is on Durst’s defense team.Prospective jurors have responded with candor. “Charming psychopath,” said one woman. “It doesn’t look good,” said a driver for Ralphs who lives in Windsor Hills. Another said Durst “is dangerous and should not be free.” An L.A.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hollywood Flashback: Robert Evans Staged a Premiere at 35,000 Feet in 1970The late Paramount chief screened 'The Adventurers' aboard TWA's new 747 aircraft during its maiden flight from New York to Los Angeles, where studio and airline execs, along with hundreds of journalists, mingled with the likes of Ernest Borgnine and other stars.
Read more »
Pat Sajak Says Wheel of Fortune Fans Were 'Proud' of Vanna White for Hosting During His Recovery'The audience was rooting for her,' Pat Sajak said of co-host Vanna White
Read more »
Jennifer Aniston Says She'll Never Stop Coloring Her Hair: 'I Don't Want Gray'The actor recently admitted that she'll continue seeing her colorist, no matter what.
Read more »
March Madness without the audience? NCAA faces pressure to protect players from coronavirus'In regard to the NCAA's March Madness Tournament and other athletic events, there should be a serious discussion about holding competitions without an audience present,' the group added.
Read more »
Early numbers out of South Carolina show Biden on upswing; Sanders trailing: Live updatesNearly a quarter of South Carolina voters say that powerful Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn's endorsement of Joe Biden was 'the most important factor' in making their decisions, per preliminary exit poll results.
Read more »
Democrats test strength with black voters in key South Carolina primary: Live updatesVoting—from 46 counties with 2,259 precincts—began in South Carolina's key primary at 7 a.m. and will continue until 7 p.m., though voters who are in line right at the end can still vote.
Read more »