No more lines outside jury assembly hall. It appears most of the 200-250 prospective jurors are in their seats. A court officer told me they were asked to arrive by noon for the afternoon session.
Just walked with the other reporters to our seats outside the glass wall that separates the media from the jury pool. Quite a few heads turned. Kind of makes you wonder how many people don't know yet why they're here.
Court officer announces that Judge O'Toole will be arriving in a few minutes --- and reminds prospective jurors that this session is an official court proceeding. No talking, no whispering, no gestures. No hats.
A few people are reading books. One guy is reading a pamphlet about federal jury service. Most are just staring straight ahead with their arms folded, waiting.
Prosecution and defense teams just arrived. Tsarnaev is wearing the same casual sweater that he wore in the first session. He's patting his chest with his right hand.
Judge O'Toole arrives. Tsarnaev rises with everyone else.
Tsarnaev is sitting between two of his attorneys --- death penalty expert Judy Clarke and federal public defender Miriam Conrad. He appears to be listening to Judge O'Toole. This is the 4th time he's heard the same speech.
O'Toole: This case differs from other criminal cases in a significant way --- and then reminds the jury pool that if there's a conviction, the jury will decide whether to impose the death penalty, not the judge.
Tsarnaev remains fidgety in his chair.
O'Toole is now explaining the questionnaire to jurors. "There are no right or wrong answers. All we ask is that you answer truthfully and to the best of your ability." He adds that the court staff has been instructed not to assist anyone with their answers.
Tsarnaev continues this odd habit of touching his face and beard repeatedly, rubbing his eyes, fixing his sweater collar.
O'Toole says the jury pool is now prohibited from following media coverage about this case. "Change the channel, turn the page or close the screen." He also warns them about social media --- Twitter, Skype, etc.
O'Toole thanks the jury pool and ends the session. Tsarnaev is escorted out.
Just overheard a court officer announce that anyone here for jury duty can start forming two lines in front of a table outside the large assembly area.
The lines are significantly shorter now. About 200 prospective jurors are now settling into their seats to wait for the final session to start.
Court officers just escorted us to our media seats outside jury assembly hall. A large glass wall separates us from the approximately 200 people inside.
It's a 28-page juror questionnaire. That means prosecutors and Tsarnaev's lawyers have to read 37,800 pages. Yikes!by Denise Lavoie via twitter retweeted by wcvbkelleyt 1/7/2015 10:05:08 PM
