More than 300 potential jurors were summoned to the Cuyahoga County Justice Center this morning for initial orientation. Court officials said the early call was made to utilize the building when most courts were not in session. Court administrator Greg Popovich said it was 'in the interest of justice, and to guarantee a fair trial'..
No media were permitted to witness the initial screening, which Popovich said was to avoid placing additional pressure on the jurors.
GREGORY POPOVICH:Court Administrator
"Orientation began this morning in regards to those jurors. Questionnaires were distributed. There was no questioning of the jurors in any way by counsel or the judge today. Actual jury selection, the questioning of jurors, the voir dire, will actually start as scheduled, on Monday."
He stressed that no activity took place today which impacts the case. The first 30 jurors will be brought back for those interviews Monday morning.
Sowell is charged with 11 killings, to which he has pleaded not guilty. The case is already the most expensive trial in Cuyahoga County history, costing more than $600,000, prior to the trial's opening day.
