Jury pool narrowed in Coonrod case
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
Ju In a trial that will be based on "circumstantial evidence," and will contain testimony from numerous firefighters, fire investigators and law enforcement officers, the remaining potential jurors in the Wesley Coonrod capital murder trial were questioned on their relationships with those officers, and their ability to not expect evidence "like on 'CSI.'"
On Wednesday morning in Highland County Common Pleas Court, the approximately 50 remaining potential jurors were questioned by Assistant Highland County Prosecutor David Henry regarding whether or not they knew or were related to any law enforcement officer, firefighter or court employee, and if that relationship would effect the way they would weight the testimony of witnesses.
In the weeks leading up to the start of the trial, 400 jury notices were sent out.
The potential jurors were asked if they knew anyone who was in the jury pool, and if they were deliberating the case, if that would effect their ability to stand up for themselves if they were faced with opposing opinions.
Henry explained to the potential jurors that the state had the burden of proof, in that they must prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. He asked if anyone who watched television programs like "CSI" and "NCIS" believed that a crime could be investigated, researched in a lab, and brought through the court process all in an hour. He asked each of the jurors if they expected to see evidence presented like on those television programs, and if anyone felt the state would not meet its burden of proof if they did not present evidence "like on 'CSI.'"
"Unlike the cop shows on TV, we do not have a camera on every corner or in every bedroom," Henry said. "We do not have photographs of people committing a crime."
Henry said that there is direct evidence and circumstantial evidence.
"This is a circumstantial evidence case. There will be no direct testimony saying the defendant committee the offense."
Henry then asked the jurors that if, based on the evidence presented, they believed the defendant was guilty, "Would you be able to sign your name to a verdict of guilty? Even if that meant the defendant would be sentenced to death?"
None of the potential jurors indicated that they could not do that.
When Henry finished questioning, the court recessed for lunch, and the defense is scheduled to begin question during the afternoon session.
A jury of 18 people must be selected, which will include the 12 seated jurors and six alternates.
The tentative court schedule made out by Coss anticipated that a jury could be seated by Thursday morning, with opening statements to begin Thursday afternoon. The remainder of the trial would then continue Oct. 4. Coss had told attorneys to be prepared to begin the trial if the jury was seated earlier.
Potential jurors who were scheduled to report for the first time Wednesday were asked not to report, but to call to see if they will need to report Thursday.
Potential jurors who reported Monday morning were scheduled to report back at 8:15 a.m. today. Those who reported Tuesday morning were told to call between noon and 1 p.m. today to see if they will need to report, and those who reported Tuesday afternoon, but were scheduled to report today, were told to call to see if they will be required to report Thursday.
Coonrod, 42, of Greenfield, is facing two counts of aggravated murder, with specifications they are capital cases; one charge of aggravated arson, a felony of the second degree; two counts of murder, unclassified felonies; two counts of child endangering, felonies of the third degree. He was arrested following the March 7 fire on Lafayette Street in Greenfield that claimed the lives of his two sons, Thomas Coonrod, 4, and Stephen Coonrod, 3. He is being held at the Highland County Justice Center on a $1 million bond.
He is represented by attorneys McHenry and William Mooney of Columbus. The state is represented by Jim Grandey and the Highland County Prosecutor's Office.
In a trial that will be based on "circumstantial evidence," and will contain testimony from numerous firefighters, fire investigators and law enforcement officers, the remaining potential jurors in the Wesley Coonrod capital murder trial were questioned on their relationships with those officers, and their ability to not expect evidence "like on 'CSI.'"
On Wednesday morning in Highland County Common Pleas Court, the approximately 50 remaining potential jurors were questioned by Assistant Highland County Prosecutor David Henry regarding whether or not they knew or were related to any law enforcement officer, firefighter or court employee, and if that relationship would affect the way they would weigh the testimony of witnesses.
In the weeks leading up to the start of the trial, 400 jury notices were sent out.
The potential jurors were asked if they knew anyone who was in the jury pool, and if they were deliberating the case, if that would affect their ability to stand up for themselves if they were faced with opposing opinions.
Henry explained to the potential jurors that the state had the burden of proof, in that they must prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. He asked if anyone who watched television programs like "CSI" and "NCIS" believed that a crime could be investigated, researched in a lab, and brought through the court process all in an hour. He asked each of the jurors if they expected to see evidence presented like on those television programs, and if anyone felt the state would not meet its burden of proof if they did not present evidence "like on 'CSI.'"
"Unlike the cop shows on TV, we do not have a camera on every corner or in every bedroom," Henry said. "We do not have photographs of people committing a crime."
Henry said that there is direct evidence and circumstantial evidence.
"This is a circumstantial evidence case. There will be no direct testimony saying the defendant committee the offense."
Henry then asked the jurors that if, based on the evidence presented, they believed the defendant was guilty, "Would you be able to sign your name to a verdict of guilty? Even if that meant the defendant would be sentenced to death?"
None of the potential jurors indicated that they could not do that.
When Henry finished questioning, the court recessed for lunch, and the defense has completed questioning potential jurors.
A jury of 18 people must be selected, which will include the 12 seated jurors and six alternates.
The tentative court schedule made out by Coss anticipated that a jury could be seated by Thursday morning, with opening statements to begin Thursday afternoon. The remainder of the trial would then continue Oct. 4. Coss had told attorneys to be prepared to begin the trial if the jury was seated earlier.
Potential jurors who were scheduled to report for the first time Wednesday were asked not to report, but to call to see if they will need to report Thursday.
Potential jurors who reported Monday morning were scheduled to report back at 8:15 a.m. today. Those who reported Tuesday morning were told to call between noon and 1 p.m. today to see if they will need to report, and those who reported Tuesday afternoon, but were scheduled to report today, were told to call to see if they will be required to report Thursday.
Coonrod, 42, of Greenfield, is facing two counts of aggravated murder, with specifications they are capital cases; one charge of aggravated arson, a felony of the second degree; two counts of murder, unclassified felonies; two counts of child endangering, felonies of the third degree. He was arrested following the March 7 fire on Lafayette Street in Greenfield that claimed the lives of his two sons, Thomas Coonrod, 4, and Stephen Coonrod, 3. He is being held at the Highland County Justice Center on a $1 million bond.
He is represented by attorneys McHenry and William Mooney of Columbus. The state is represented by Jim Grandey and the Highland County Prosecutor's Office.
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