UM Grace Case

Judge Donald Molloy continued questioning potential jurors this afternoon. Eight jurors were questioned from 1:30 to 3:00.  Many voiced their concerns about the length of the trial and how it would impede on personal matters. One juror got so personal he said, “I don’t really know my situation anymore,” about whether he could arrange to have his daughter picked up after school because “my wife is talking about leaving me.”  Others brought up the pay issue. Many jobs, in fact most, don’t pay when an employee is serving on a jury.  One juror said she felt honored to be a part of the justice system in this way, but getting by on $40 a day would be impossible.

Molloy seems genuinely interested in the jobs and lives of the jury pool. He seems to have a method of questioning that might not appear directly relevant on a surface level.  Molloy probably spent the longest time questioning a juror candidate who is a UM research scientist at the Flathead Lake Biological Station. Molloy concentrated his questions on how the potential juror approached scientific findings in his research and the method by which he drew conclusions.  This, theoretically, could affect how the potential juror would view scientific studies presented in the trial.

Molloy finished up the time block by asking whether any of the prospective jurors had any immediate family involved with the criminal justice system. Several did but, after explaining their situations without going into great deal, said that would not affect how they heard or decided the case.  Right before 3 p.m., Molloy called for a break and a meeting with lead attorneys to discuss the questioning. When Molloy returned, he finished up his questions about immediate family members involved with the criminal justice system.

–Kelsey Bernius