Serious warning from the judge to defense lawyers and the jury selection panel
Yesterday, the first session for selecting jurors for the court case regarding Michael Jackson’s involuntary manslaughter was held. The defendant, Conrad Murray, was also present in the session.
From among the people who will be called to court in the coming days to judge this case, they are asked which of them meet the requirements to be jurors. They must give up their jobs and disrupt their normal lives in order to attend court sessions and determine the fate of this case. There is a possibility of financial loss and mental harm for them. Those who remain must fill out a 30-page questionnaire.
Yesterday, Judge Michael Pastor asked the 160 members who were present in court whether anyone among them had not heard anything about this case. It’s not hard to imagine that no hands were raised. The judge, who wasn’t surprised at all, continued: “Well, of course we didn’t expect you to have been living in a cave these past years or just returned from a trip to Mars.”
The judge warned these people that due to the excessive fame of this case and how controversial it has been in the media, they are required to avoid listening to news—especially negative news—about the court. They are not allowed to post any information about the court on social networks. And if they do, prison with a heavy cash fine will await them!
The judge said that searching the internet is as easy as breathing, and they must be very alert and careful.
He reminded them that he could have issued an order to sequester the jurors, but he didn’t because he was confident they would follow his instructions.
Each morning, the jurors will be brought to the court from an unknown location by secure vehicles, and at night they will be sent back to their homes in the same order. They will not be allowed to leave the court during the day, and they will also have lunch there.
The judge also, in the Tuesday session, warned the defense attorneys for the accused Michael Jackson that they and their client are not allowed to comment outside the courtroom about the orders he issues or the decisions made during the session.
Apparently, Dr. Murray had told a photographer in Santa Monica that the judge’s decision not to sequester the jurors was wrong. The judge said he feels it’s necessary to advise Dr. Murray and his advisors a bit:
“This case will be discussed inside the courtroom. This case will not be discussed in interviews and news conversations. It will not be discussed behind the doors of the courtroom, inside homes, shops, restaurants, radio networks, and other places. I want it to be completely clear and transparent for everyone. I don’t want defense attorneys or anyone else—whether they agree with my decisions or not—to comment on this.”
Yesterday, among the crowd of Michael Jackson supporters who were lined up outside the courthouse, one person also stood with a placard defending the accused of Michael’s murder. This person, who has a 30-year friendship relationship with Murray, had written on his sign: “I support Dr. Murray. He is innocent and must be acquitted.”
This person shook hands with Michael’s supporters and said that he had agreed with them to avoid violence.
Source: eMJey.com / CNN / LA Times