Jury selection proceeding slowly in Rivera case
The first four jurors were chosen Monday for the third trial in the 1992 rape and murder of 11-year-old Holly Staker.
Citizens will be asked again to decide if Juan Rivera, 36, is the man who raped and killed Staker on Aug. 17, 1992. Rivera was convicted in the case after trials in 1993 and 1998 and was sentenced to life in prison both times, but new trials were ordered after both convictions.
Both sides of the case concede it will be more difficult than usual to assemble a jury for this trial because it is expected to last three weeks.
Several prospective jurors told Circuit Judge Christopher Starck that such a lengthy trial would cause them hardship in terms of their employment or child care.
The case is expected to feature a significant amount of scientific testimony, both in the areas of DNA identification and psychology.
Both sides agree that DNA taken from semen found inside Holly's body does not match Rivera. Defense attorneys argue that Rivera was in a "psychotic state" when he gave police a detailed confession to the crime.
Starck and the attorneys were questioning prospective jurors about their understanding of scientific issues and if they watched television shows dealing with forensic science.
One prospective juror who responded that she is a regular viewer of the Nancy Grace show on CNN that frequently showcases DNA evidence in child sex cases was excused from the panel.
Other questions posed to the prospective jurors centered on their familiarity with the case and whether they could put aside what they had learned through the media and base their decisions strictly on what was said in court.
Most questioned on Monday responded that they had not heard or read anything about the case, and those with some prior knowledge said they could disregard it.
Court officials said that a normal complement of 125 prospective jurors had been told to report Monday.
Jurors in Lake County are paid $5 per day plus mileage and a $5 lunch allowance for their first three days of service, and $7.50 per day, mileage and the lunch allowance for every day thereafter.
Before the start of jury selection, attorneys on both sides and Starck discussed the possibility of resolving the case through a guilty plea in exchange for something short of a life sentence.
The discussion was brief and ended when Jeffrey Urdangen, one of Rivera's defense attorneys, said Rivera was not interested in pleading guilty under any circumstances.
Jury selection is expected to continue today.