Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 26, 2006 16:06:14 GMT -5
NEW YORK----federal death penalty sought
Death penalty jurors face 82 questions ---- 600 potential panelists in
cop-killing trial get a lengthy questionnaire
What are your views on the death penalty?
Can you decide whether a person should live or die?
Name any TV programs you watch dealing with the criminal justice system.
Have you ever been the victim of racial, ethnic or religious bias and do
you have any bias, sympathy or prejudice toward Ronell Wilson, the police
or government?
The answers to these questions and dozens of others will help determine
the fate of Wilson, a Stapleton resident and an accused cop-killer.
As jury selection began yesterday in Brooklyn federal court, potential
panelists were asked to answer -- in writing -- 82 queries probing their
background, experiences and beliefs, as well as their views on the death
penalty. Prosecutors and defense lawyers composed the 54-page
questionnaires.
Wilson, 24, is accused of slaying two undercover cops on March 10, 2003,
in Tompkinsville. Detectives Rodney J. Andrews, 34, and James V. Nemorin,
36, were posing as gun buyers when Wilson allegedly shot each of them in
the head in their unmarked car and dumped their bodies on Hannah Street
off St. Pauls Avenue.
Prosecutors allege the killings were intentional and are seeking the death
penalty.
Jury selection is expected to take four or more weeks. District Judge
Nicholas G. Garaufis said yesterday the trial could begin around Nov. 6
and last about 2 months.
Prior to the start of jury selection yesterday, Wilson was arraigned on a
superseding 10-count indictment. It replaces the original indictment filed
in November 2004, when federal prosecutors took over the case from the
Staten Island district attorney's office.
The new charges include 5 death-penalty counts -- 2 counts each of murder
in aid of racketeering and causing death through use of a firearm, and 1
count of carjacking resulting in death. Wilson also is accused of
non-capital robbery and weapons charges.
The defendant wore eyeglasses, a long-sleeve tan shirt, matching trousers
and a tie to the arraignment. He said nothing during the brief proceeding;
however, his lawyers pleaded not guilty on his behalf to all charges.
The defense team comprises Ephraim Savitt, Kelley J. Sharkey and Mitchell
Dinnerstein. Prosecuting the case are Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colleen
Kavanagh, Jack Smith and Morris J. Fodeman.
Over the next few weeks, lawyers will review the questionnaires to root
out possible bias and winnow the 600-person jury pool. Potential jurors
who survive the initial cuts will be brought into court in mid-October for
interviews and followup questions with prosecutors, defense lawyers and
the judge. 12 jurors and 6 alternates will be chosen.
Garaufis ordered that jurors' identities be kept secret to preclude any
possibility of tampering or media tainting.
"This is in no way unusual," he said yesterday.
Prosecutors and the defense team finalized the questionnaire over the
weekend after working on it for months. It consists of 6 parts and delves
into everything from the personal -- asking jurors if they are leaders or
followers and to name the people they most and least admire -- to their
exposure to the case through the media.
With regard to legal issues, jurors are asked if they could fairly
evaluate the case knowing that several "key" government witnesses -- who
are not named but reportedly are Staten Islanders Jessie Jacobus, Omar
Green and Mitchell Diaz -- participated in the crimes and have cut
cooperation agreements in hope of earning lighter sentences.
16 queries focus on the death penalty.
Jurors are asked whether they believe a sentence of life in prison without
the possibility of release is more severe than a death sentence and
whether they would be reluctant to impose the death penalty if they knew
Wilson could be locked behind bars for good.
They also must state whether their religious beliefs would interfere with
their following the court's instructions on weighing the death penalty.
(source: Staten Island Advance)
Death penalty jurors face 82 questions ---- 600 potential panelists in
cop-killing trial get a lengthy questionnaire
What are your views on the death penalty?
Can you decide whether a person should live or die?
Name any TV programs you watch dealing with the criminal justice system.
Have you ever been the victim of racial, ethnic or religious bias and do
you have any bias, sympathy or prejudice toward Ronell Wilson, the police
or government?
The answers to these questions and dozens of others will help determine
the fate of Wilson, a Stapleton resident and an accused cop-killer.
As jury selection began yesterday in Brooklyn federal court, potential
panelists were asked to answer -- in writing -- 82 queries probing their
background, experiences and beliefs, as well as their views on the death
penalty. Prosecutors and defense lawyers composed the 54-page
questionnaires.
Wilson, 24, is accused of slaying two undercover cops on March 10, 2003,
in Tompkinsville. Detectives Rodney J. Andrews, 34, and James V. Nemorin,
36, were posing as gun buyers when Wilson allegedly shot each of them in
the head in their unmarked car and dumped their bodies on Hannah Street
off St. Pauls Avenue.
Prosecutors allege the killings were intentional and are seeking the death
penalty.
Jury selection is expected to take four or more weeks. District Judge
Nicholas G. Garaufis said yesterday the trial could begin around Nov. 6
and last about 2 months.
Prior to the start of jury selection yesterday, Wilson was arraigned on a
superseding 10-count indictment. It replaces the original indictment filed
in November 2004, when federal prosecutors took over the case from the
Staten Island district attorney's office.
The new charges include 5 death-penalty counts -- 2 counts each of murder
in aid of racketeering and causing death through use of a firearm, and 1
count of carjacking resulting in death. Wilson also is accused of
non-capital robbery and weapons charges.
The defendant wore eyeglasses, a long-sleeve tan shirt, matching trousers
and a tie to the arraignment. He said nothing during the brief proceeding;
however, his lawyers pleaded not guilty on his behalf to all charges.
The defense team comprises Ephraim Savitt, Kelley J. Sharkey and Mitchell
Dinnerstein. Prosecuting the case are Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colleen
Kavanagh, Jack Smith and Morris J. Fodeman.
Over the next few weeks, lawyers will review the questionnaires to root
out possible bias and winnow the 600-person jury pool. Potential jurors
who survive the initial cuts will be brought into court in mid-October for
interviews and followup questions with prosecutors, defense lawyers and
the judge. 12 jurors and 6 alternates will be chosen.
Garaufis ordered that jurors' identities be kept secret to preclude any
possibility of tampering or media tainting.
"This is in no way unusual," he said yesterday.
Prosecutors and the defense team finalized the questionnaire over the
weekend after working on it for months. It consists of 6 parts and delves
into everything from the personal -- asking jurors if they are leaders or
followers and to name the people they most and least admire -- to their
exposure to the case through the media.
With regard to legal issues, jurors are asked if they could fairly
evaluate the case knowing that several "key" government witnesses -- who
are not named but reportedly are Staten Islanders Jessie Jacobus, Omar
Green and Mitchell Diaz -- participated in the crimes and have cut
cooperation agreements in hope of earning lighter sentences.
16 queries focus on the death penalty.
Jurors are asked whether they believe a sentence of life in prison without
the possibility of release is more severe than a death sentence and
whether they would be reluctant to impose the death penalty if they knew
Wilson could be locked behind bars for good.
They also must state whether their religious beliefs would interfere with
their following the court's instructions on weighing the death penalty.
(source: Staten Island Advance)