Jump to full article: Houston (TX) Chronicle, 2001-02-04
Intro: It was a different kind of jury panel. Last week more than 200 prospective jurors, about six times the usual number, were called to state District Judge Donald Floyd's court.
There were so many people it created a parking crunch in the Jefferson County Courthouse parking lots. . .
Fourteen jurors and alternates are needed for the case. The judge moved the jury pool to a large auditorium one floor below his small courtroom.
"This doesn't even feel like a courtroom," Floyd said. For one thing, the prospective jurors sometimes broke out in applause -- maybe inspired by the theaterlike setting.
Or maybe it was because Floyd announced a coffee break or told them they could go home for the day.
Jump to full article » |