Opinion ID: 2005169
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Publicity, Juror Questionnaires, and Voir Dire

Text: The murders generated extensive publicity in Madison County. The district court conducted extensive voir dire to determine whether Rodriguez could obtain a fair and impartial jury. The district court clerk's office sent jury questionnaires to 300 prospective jurors. Many if not all the prospective jurors' responses indicated that they had had some exposure to news accounts of the killings. Despite this, about 63 percent responded that they could render a verdict from only the evidence and testimony presented at trial. During voir dire, 60 people were individually questioned to obtain a panel of 42, from which the final jury and alternates were selected. Rodriguez contends that the court should have removed several jurors for cause because of their answers to the questionnaires and their answers during voir dire. Juror No. 7 stated that he had heard about the murders on the radio and read articles in the newspaper, including witness accounts. He had seen headlines about the trials of the others charged in the crime, but he stated he had not read anything recently. He did not have or express an opinion about Rodriguez' guilt or innocence. Juror No. 8 stated that he had been exposed to the facts of the case through newspaper, television, and radio accounts. He stated that he expressed an opinion as to Rodriguez' guilt in passing, but that he had not formed an opinion in his own mind and believed Rodriguez was innocent until proved guilty. He also had read reports of witness testimony, but had not formed an opinion from the reports. Juror No. 25 stated that he heard about the murders through newspaper and television coverage. He stated that he had not heard any accounts of the other trials. When asked whether he had reached a conclusion regarding Rodriguez' guilt or innocence, he stated he thought Rodriguez probably facilitated the whole crime. He said this was his understanding because of the media and hearsay . . . that there's videotapes placing Rodriguez at the bank. But he had not heard that information from any witnesses. Juror No. 25 also testified that he would be willing to presume Rodriguez was innocent, would make a decision based only on the evidence, and would require that the State meet its burden to prove him guilty. Juror No. 27 stated that he had read newspaper accounts of the murders but that he had not formed or expressed an opinion regarding Rodriguez' guilt or innocence. He also stated he did not believe the death penalty was appropriate for Rodriguez because Rodriguez didn't do the killings. Juror No. 39 stated that he followed the media coverage of the murders in the newspapers and on television and radio. But he had not formed an opinion as to Rodriguez' guilt or innocence. He did testify, however, that he would require Rodriguez to present evidence of his innocence. But upon further questioning and clarification by the judge, he stated that he could hold the State to its burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Juror No. 44 stated that she had read newspaper accounts and also had discussed the case with a coworker who witnessed part of the robbery. The coworker expressed the opinion that Rodriguez was guilty. Juror No. 44 stated, however, that she had not formed an opinion as to Rodriguez' guilt or innocence based on either the newspaper or witness accounts.