Casey Rejects Plea Offer

Headlines can  be misleading...


Judge Perry simply asked Casey if she wanted to seek a plea; she said 'no'


Jose Baez objected to...


all the jurors. 


They weren't the right racial mix, he said. 


Rejected. 






CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Jury selection for the Casey Anthony murder trial began Monday morning in Clearwater, nearly three years after Caylee Anthony was last seen alive.

Judge Belvin Perry is searching for 20 jurors in all, including alternates, which he will bring to Orange County for what's estimated to be a six- to eight-week trial.

Perry started the day by asking Anthony if she might try to cut a last-minute plea deal. She said she would not.

A majority of the more than 60 potential jurors who were questioned Monday were excused for various hardships, primarily financial.

Court administrators made the location of jury selection public around 6 a.m., 936 days after Anthony's indictment on a murder charge. WESH.com was first to break the news.

Perry was mindful of the burden a lengthy trial could place on the 110 potential jurors.

"In coming here today for jury duty, we are mindful of the enormous inconvenience we will be imposing," Perry told the pool.

The defense quickly moved to strike the jury pool for lack of minorities.

"It should be representative of the population of Orange County. I don't think this pool does," defense attorney Jose Baez argued.

Perry denied the request.

Perry excused dozens of potential jurors for financial hardships, and one man who said his mind was made up that Anthony was guilty.

Court administrators say they're happy with the number of people who've said this will not be a hardship. That process picks up again at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. WESH.com will provide live coverage.

 

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RAW VIDEO: Booking

 

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RAW VIDEO: Jury Instructions

New Mugshot, Booking

Anthony had to take a new mugshot photo when she was brought in to Pinellas County.

WESH 2 News has obtained the video of Anthony being brought in and booked into the Pinellas County Jail.

She was placed up against a counter and searched before being checked in.

She then had her mugshot taken so she could be registered as an inmate in the jail.

This mugshot joins the host of other mugshots taken of Anthony during her time behind bars.

Jury Sequestration

 

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RAW VIDEO: First 6 Mins Of Trial

Once a jury is seated, court officials must deal with the matter of keeping them locked down.

Jurors will not be able to read newspapers and will only have access to a select few television stations that do not cover news.

WESH 2 legal analyst, retired Circuit Judge O.H. Eaton Jr., said sequestering the jury for such a high-profile case will be no easy task.

"I think you'll see one of the most professional security systems we've ever had in Florida working on this case," Eaton said.

Eaton said jurors will be guarded 24 hours per day and their every move will be watched.

Phone calls to family members may be allowed, but only under supervision.

"That's why it costs so much money. When the jurors are in court, they're being of course taking care of by armed deputies. When they leave the courthouse, they're taken in an armed van, taken to the motel, watched over by the deputies. Their television access is limited, their access to other people is limited," Eaton said.

Jurors will be paid $30 per day during the trial. Their meals, lodging and laundry will be paid for.

Perry's Concerns

 

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RAW VIDEO: Perry's Concerns

Perry said Monday that there's one issue that concerns him about the case -- a database of 478 chemicals used by Dr. Arpad Vass of the Oakridge National Laboratory that Vass claims signal decomposition.

Baez wants to see the list, but has not obtained it.

Prosecutor Jeff Ashton said that the FBI owns the list, and it could have been obtained through a request.

In an order issued early Monday by Perry, he allowed the evidence in the trial, but said late Monday afternoon that he may not allow Vass' testimony if the database is not obtained.

"It is very troubling to me," Perry said on the issue of the database.

Perry said he had staff attorneys researching the issue and was willing to call the FBI himself to resolve the matter.

He said he was concerned about appellate issues.

"I have no plans to do this again," Perry said.

Opening statements in the case are scheduled for May 17.

Read more: http://www.wesh.com/casey-anthony-extended-coverage/27829893/detail.html#ixzz1LwaVjZ5l