Lawyers in the R. Kelly case have agreed on a fourth juror — the first to be added to the panel today. The newest juror is a college student studying criminal justice who says she wants to be a police officer.
The juror is a white woman. Her father works as a security guard, as does her boyfriend, who is also studying criminal justice.
Asked her views of the criminal justice system, the woman said, "I like it and think it is a fair system when done properly, and I will always do my best to insure it is."
The woman said she knew nothing about the R. Kelly case — except that Kelly is a singer who had been arrested. She said she barely knew his music, just the "very old stuff."
A possible scheduling conflict arose, since the woman has a final exam next Monday. Defense lawyer Ed Genson asked the judge if her schedule could be accomodated, and was told it could. Both sides appeared to want the woman on the jury.
Judge Vincent Gaughan excused the woman for the day, telling her as she left, "We haven't forgotten about your final. Good luck."
Lawyers appeared poised to pick two additional jurors, both white men. But their selection has not been finalized.
The judge has dismissed five jurors for cause today. The defense used two peremptory challenges, bringing its total to three so far. Judge Gaughan joked with defense lawyer Ed Genson that both peremptory challenges were white men.
"I don't look at people like that," Genson said.
The three jurors selected Monday included an African-American woman, an African-American man, and a white man.
please describe the college student. Is he black? do he dress hip hop?
Read the post, Kevin. The student is a white female.