Jurors have been through a lot in this case
The jury pool – 12 jurors and three alternates – dropped down from 15 to 14 yesterday, as one alternate juror, an elderly gentleman, was gone. Judge Edward Lodge said today that that alternate juror was “excused by the court for good cause.” He wasn’t there today, either. The court hasn’t commented on whether jurors will be offered counseling after what they’ve seen and heard in this case.
As they listened to closing arguments today, some jurors clearly were affected. One alternate nodded her head vigorously as Whelan made various points. Another female juror struggled to keep her composure, holding a tissue, sometimes covering her mouth, and wiping at her eyes at the end. Some looked angry at times. All looked somber.
