GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. — Lawyers have added another six potential jurors to the pool for the trial of Ross Harris, a Cobb County father accused of leaving his son, Cooper, in a hot SUV.
The total number of jurors qualified is now 23.
- 11 potential jurors added to pool, bringing the total to 17.
- Legal analysts say many potential jurors work with children, something the defense would not want on the jury.
- Attorneys want 42 jurors in the pool before the trial begins in October.
Attorneys on Friday questioned a third panel of 12 jurors, asking them about their personal lives in order to figure out how they might handle the case.
One juror, a retired teacher married to a career law enforcement officer, said she would not question any testimony from police.
“I have that much respect for them. I just don’t think a law enforcement officer would present false information,” she said.
Her comments may not disqualify her from the case, but Harris’ legal team would likely want to keep her from sitting in the jury box.
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The state has a long list of law enforcement officers scheduled to testify in the case, from those who first encountered Harris at the scene where his son was found dead, to those who investigated his online activities.
Another juror, who likely won’t make the cut said the case hits her especially hard.
“This case has kind of haunted me because I have a grandson that’s named Cooper and as soon as I hear that name, my heart just sort of dropped to my stomach,” she said.
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A majority of the jurors interviewed this week have made it through to the pool.
Twenty-three out of the first 36 jurors questioned have been added to the pool for next month’s trial.
“We don’t have the level of anger that we had coming out of Cobb here. It appears people are generally willing to serve,” Channel 2 legal analyst Esther Panitch said.
Lawyers need a minimum of 42, but may pick as many as 50 for the pool.
The questioning has picked up speed, so experts said jury selection could wrap up on schedule next week.
“If we stay on track, we may even be done a day early,” Panitch said.
The trial is scheduled to begin in October.