Mark Sievers trial: Jury selection continues: Day 4

Friday, the search for possible jurors for the trial of Mark Sievers continues, but the judge says he expects to have a jury set by next Wednesday.

Lawyers for both sides spent much of Thursday asking about the death penalty and continue to do so Friday.

The court has a lot of potential jurors to get through today for round two of questioning, so they are jumping right into it! The first juror this morning is a young woman. They are asking her how she feels about the death penalty @winknews #SieversTrial

— Morgan Rynor (@Morgan_Rynor) November 15, 2019

One potential juror was visibly upset when asked about the death penalty. She said she wouldn’t be able to put her head on her pillow at night. Judge Bruce Kyle promptly dismissed her.

As of around 12:30 p.m., there were about 50 people left that were either asked to come back another day for more questions or have not yet been questioned.

Judge Kyle told a group of 20 Friday morning to come back Monday. Several raised their hands with “issues.” The judge reminded them this is a five-week trial. Scheduling issues continue to become more complicated.

“The panel has shrunk,” said Kyle. And it’s continuing to shrink quickly. Ten potential jurors have already been sent home since 8:30 a.m.; some for being against the death penalty and others that now have work or medical issues that weren’t brought up in earlier questioning.

One man just complained of sleep apnea, and brought some type of letter. Judge doesn't seem to be buying it, he's asking for a more official letter from a doctor saying potential juror can't serve. He'll be back on Mon. for more questions. #SieversTrial @winknews

— Brooke Shafer (@BrookeShaferTV) November 15, 2019

Following a lunch break, court resumed and the judge sent more potential jurors home, telling them to come back Monday.

Again, more people raised their hands with new issues they believe would make them unable to serve. Judge Kyle seems visibly frustrated.