“Maslamani jurors questioned” |
| Posted: 09 Sep 2010 08:55 PM PDT Selection process for murder trial could take several days A Clinton Township firefighter was one of several people who admitted they could not be objective so was dismissed Thursday as a potential juror for the Ihab Maslamani trial. The removal of the middle-aged man came on the first day of questioning of potential jurors by prosecuting and defense attorneys in front of Judge Diane Druzinski in Macomb County Circuit Court in Mount Clemens. Maslamani, 18, is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, bank robbery and carjacking for an alleged three-day crime spree in August 2009 that started with the alleged abduction of Matthew Landry, 21, of Chesterfield Township, from outside an Eastpointe Quiznos eatery. Landry's body was found four days later in Detroit. Maslamani also allegedly robbed a Harrison Township bank and committed a Roseville carjacking. Attorneys are trying to whittle a pool of 125 potential jurors to 14. Potential panelists on Wednesday wrote their answers to 119 questions about their background, media exposure and beliefs. Attorneys on Thursday individually questioned jurors, sitting alone in the jury box, based on their answers. The firefighter/paramedic said he believed Maslamani was "somehow involved" in the incident and in the survey wrote he believes Maslamani is guilty. "That's my answer, that's what I put down," he said in response to a pressing question from assistant Macomb prosecutor William Cataldo. "From what I've seen, read, I've formed an opinion in my mind." Defense attorney Joseph Kosmala noted that the firefighter wrote that he "might typically favor the prosecution" in an actual or fictionalized court case. The firefighter also volunteered that his boss is township Fire Marshal Robert Smith, who is the brother of Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith. Druzinski dismissed him as both the prosecution and defense agreed he cannot serve. One woman was kept on as a potential juror despite an argument for a "for cause" dismissal by defense co-counsel Ryan Machasic. She said although she believes Maslamani is guilty "because he's in jail," she later said she could be impartial and find him not guilty if the prosecution failed to prove its case. "I would look at all sides and make a decision," said the woman, who appeared to be in her 50s or 60s. She will advance to a second round of questioning. After a young black woman said she knew nothing about the case and could render a verdict based on the evidence, lead defense attorney Joseph Kosmala quipped to the judge, "Can we seat her right now?" She was retained as a possible juror. A white male who appeared to be in his 30s was dismissed for cause after saying he read about the case since completing the questionnaire and decided Maslamani is guilty. "The fact that you did that is not a good thing," Druzinski told him. The questioning is scheduled to continue today. Jury selection could take several days. Maslamani, who in prior court appearances had a beard and long hair, appeared in court with a short haircut and wearing a tan blazer. Maslamani's co-defendant, Robert Taylor, 17, in Landry's murder and kidnapping, is scheduled to face trial Oct. 26.
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