Attorneys Agree On Jury In Montgomery Trial

Prosecutors and defense attorneys in Demeatrius Montgomery’s trial have agreed on 12 jurors.

They approved seven people on Tuesday, three more on Wednesday morning and two on Thursday morning. Attorneys now need to seat alternates.

Jury selection began last Wednesday in the trial. Montgomery is accused of fatally shooting police officers Sean Clark and Jeff Shelton in 2007.

For extended coverage of the case, click here.

The panel, which consists of seven women and five men, was chosen after thorough questioning from attorneys on both sides. Questions ranged from what type of hobbies potential jurors enjoy to what type of bumper stickers they put on their cars.

Legal analyst Tony Scheer said the painstaking process was worth the effort.

“It absolutely matters,” he said of jury selection, adding that it can determine the outcome of a case.

TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Monday, Aug. 23: Trial begins. Arvin Fant, a detective with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, admits discarding notes related to the investigation into the fatal shootings of Clark and Shelton. Defense attorneys ask judge to dismiss charges against Montgomery or issue sanctions against prosecution.

• Tuesday, Aug. 24: Judge Forrest Bridges rules that Montgomery cannot be sentenced to death if convicted as a result of Fant’s mistakes.

• Wednesday, Aug. 25: Prosecutors say they will not appeal the judge’s decision to take the death penalty off the table. Jury selection begins.

• Tuesday, Aug. 31: Prosecutors and defense attorneys approve seven jurors.

• Wednesday, Sept. 1: Attorneys approve three more jurors, bringing the panel to 10. Twelve must be chosen, along with two alternates.

• Thursday, Sept. 2: Attorneys approve two more jurors, completing the panel.

Scheer said the racial mix of the jury in Montgomery’s case could be especially important.

The panel consists of four white women, three black women, three white men, one black man and one Hispanic man.

“I think to a certain extent you want people your client shares more in common (with),” Scheer said.

The diversity extends to professions, as well. An electrical engineer, a college professor, an attorney, a part-time student and a housewife are among the jurors.

Attorneys also approved three alternate jurors on Thursday.

Jurors will return Tuesday, when opening statements and testimony will begin. The trial is expected to last three to five weeks.