3.Panel 1 Voir Dire — Individual Inquiries, Cause Challenges, and Selection Review
339 lines(In open court.)
THE COURT: Members of the jury, I have a couple other follow-up questions and then we may be talking with you individually in just a few moments.
Regarding as to posts or comments on social media or chat room, has anyone liked any comments regarding Ms. Boone that they may have seen on any social media platform or chat room?
The Court sees no paddles.
Similarly, has anyone shared any comments or posts on any social media platform or chat room regarding Ms. Boone? If you've done that, please raise your paddles.
The Court sees no paddles.
Is there anyone here who has such strongly held religious beliefs, that due to moral or religious reasons, you could not serve as a juror in this case? If you have those beliefs, please raise your paddle at this time.
The Court sees no paddles.
The last topic I have is any physical issues that you may be having. I know that those benches you-all are sitting in right now are super uncomfortable. If you need to stand up or stretch, please feel free to do so.
If you are selected as a juror in our case, you'll be seated in the box where the chairs do lean back and they're much more comfortable and padded. I also have a refrigerator full of snacks and other stuff to take care of any appetites or snackage that you may need during any breaks that we may be having if you're selected to serve as a juror in this case.
Understanding all those things, is there anyone here who is having any physical issues that you need to bring to my attention at this time?
Juror No. 27?
JUROR: I just fidget a lot because I've had both neck and back surgeries, so...
THE COURT: Okay. Would those neck and back surgeries affect your ability to listen and pay attention during the trial?
JUROR: No. No, sir.
THE COURT: All right. Would that affect you in such a way that you could not fairly and impartially weigh the evidence that's being presented?
JUROR: No, sir.
THE COURT: Okay. All right. Thank you very much.
COURT CLERK: We are missing a juror.
THE COURT: We are? Who are we missing?
COURT CLERK: She's downstairs.
THE COURT: Who?
COURT CLERK: Juror in Seat 39, 413.
THE COURT: Okay.
COURT CLERK: She's on the way back up.
THE COURT: Okay. At this point in time, members of the jury, I'm going to excuse you outside. We're going to bring you in one at a time to ask you some specific questions.
Same instruction that I gave you previously. Please do not have any comments amongst yourselves or anyone else about this case, the persons and places involved, or the charge. You can talk about anything else, just not any of those things. And we'll bring you back in as promptly as possible. And, again, I thank you for your sacrifice and your service.
(Above-mentioned venirepersons exited.)
THE COURT: All right. You-all can be seated. Thank you.
Madam Clerk received a call from Jury Services. Apparently, Juror No. 39 went back to the first floor, is being brought back up. We can address all those questions with her when she arrives.
State, we did not receive any additional commentary from jurors in Seats 4, 8, or 9. It looks like the first person was 27 who expressed originally at the beginning of the day and her knowledge of the law enforcement interview and comments regarding Ms. Boone.
THE COURT: Should we just go ahead and bring her in at this time?
THE COURT: All right. Defense, is that acceptable?
MR. HENDERSON: Yes, Your Honor.
THE COURT: All right. Let's go ahead and stand and bring in juror in Seat 27, wearing Badge 102.
(Venire Badge 102 entered.)
THE COURT: You-all can be seated. Thank you.
Juror in Seat 27, good afternoon, ma'am.
JUROR: Hello.
THE COURT: At the beginning of the day, you had advised, when I read who the persons were in this case, that you recognize Ms. Boone.
JUROR: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: How is it that you recognize her?
JUROR: I've seen multiple stories on news feeds, whether it's the TV or in the internet.
THE COURT: Okay. Recently or historically?
JUROR: Recently, as of today.
THE COURT: Okay. All right, ma'am. You also mentioned that you had observed maybe a video of Ms. Boone's interrogation with law enforcement?
JUROR: Yeah. It was on social media.
THE COURT: Okay. All right. How much of it did you watch?
JUROR: Just briefly. Just briefly saw it and passed by.
THE COURT: Did you pay attention to any comments about --
JUROR: No, sir.
THE COURT: How much time did you spend watching that interview?
JUROR: Maybe a couple minutes.
THE COURT: Okay. All right. Do you recall anything specific about what it is that you observed?
JUROR: Just that she was accused of killing the gentleman and put him in a suitcase.
THE COURT: All right. You also advised that you had read comments about Ms. Boone. What were those comments and where?
JUROR: I honestly don't recall, but it was on social media, just talking about the story.
THE COURT: Were they positive, negative, or just persons' neutral commentary?
JUROR: Neutral comments.
THE COURT: Okay. Would any of that affect your ability to fairly and impartially weigh the evidence presented in this case?
JUROR: No, sir.
THE COURT: It would not affect you at all?
JUROR: Uh-huh.
THE COURT: Would you be able to shut that stuff aside and keep it at the door and just focus on what's presented here in the courtroom?
JUROR: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: Okay. Thank you.
State, any follow-up?
THE COURT: Defense, any follow-up?
MR. HENDERSON: Yes, please.
THE COURT: Yes, sir. You may proceed.
MR. HENDERSON: Ma'am?
JUROR: Yes, sir.
MR. HENDERSON: Did it become a thing that you were looking for information about this case on a daily basis?
JUROR: No, sir.
MR. HENDERSON: And as to the internet or social media, did you put in a search for Sarah Boone or --
JUROR: No, sir.
MR. HENDERSON: -- did you just randomly come across it?
JUROR: Just randomly came across it.
MR. HENDERSON: Okay. Have you shared your opinion about what you've seen or this case to anyone?
JUROR: No, sir.
MR. HENDERSON: Okay. Thank you. I don't have any further questions.
JUROR: Yes, sir.
MR. HENDERSON: That's all I have, Judge.
THE COURT: I have one additional follow-up, ma'am.
JUROR: Sure.
THE COURT: Do you have any opinion about this case?
JUROR: I don't.
THE COURT: All right. Thank you.
Can the parties approach?
(At the bench.)
THE COURT: State?
THE COURT: Defense?
MR. HENDERSON: We're just talking about cause at this time, correct?
THE COURT: Correct, yeah.
MR. HENDERSON: There's no cause motion.
THE COURT: Okay. Appreciate it. Thank you both.
(In open court.)
THE COURT: All right. Ma'am, thank you so much. We're going to ask you to step outside for a few moments and we'll bring you back in for additional directions.
JUROR: Okay.
THE COURT: Thank you, ma'am.
(Venire Badge 102 exited.)
THE COURT: Madam Clerk has advised that juror in Seat 39, wearing Badge 413, has returned from the first floor. Do we want to go ahead and bring her in and address the same questions that I asked of our panel previously or do you just want to continue to go through who we know?
THE COURT: Sure. Okay. I agree with that.
The next note that I have is for juror in Seat 33.
(Venire Badge 943 entered.)
THE COURT: Juror in Seat 33, good afternoon, sir. The Court was just asking you some questions about some things that you may have seen and you advised that you're aware of the video of a person in a suitcase, that you had some prior knowledge as to the case, and after feeling -- you had such feelings that you could not be such a fair and impartial juror after hearing the charge.
JUROR: Correct.
THE COURT: Could you address all those things for me, Sir, starting with your feelings about the charge?
JUROR: I just don't think I can do it, and I've been -- I've seen it since it started.
THE COURT: When you say you've seen it since it started, what do you mean by that?
JUROR: The news and they had videos on YouTube. It's -- there's stuff I've seen. I don't know where it come from, but I've seen it, because I remember her face.
THE COURT: Have you continued to watch or --
JUROR: No.
THE COURT: -- follow the news in those?
JUROR: It just -- last night, it was on the news about they was selecting jurors for her case today.
THE COURT: Have you been actively following it or just --
JUROR: No.
THE COURT: It's random when it happens to come on?
JUROR: When I'm on YouTube, I see stuff and look at it.
THE COURT: Have you watched any of those YouTube videos?
JUROR: Back when it first started.
THE COURT: And back when it first started, what do you mean by that?
JUROR: '21, 2020, something like that.
THE COURT: Have you watched any videos currently?
JUROR: No.
THE COURT: All right. And you said that with those -- you had those feelings where you could not be fair and impartial. Why? What are those feelings, sir?
JUROR: Can't explain. Just don't -- don't think I can do it.
THE COURT: Okay. All right. Thank you.
State?
THE COURT: Defense?
MR. HENDERSON: No follow-up, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Okay. Can the parties approach?
(At the bench.)
THE COURT: Mr. Jay?
MR. HENDERSON: Agree.
THE COURT: Okay. All right. Juror in Seat 33, wearing Badge 943, will be stricken for cause by way of stipulation.
(In open court.)
THE COURT: All right. Juror in Seat 33, thank you so much for your honesty in this matter. We're going to go ahead and release you, sir, in this case. You can head back down to the first floor to Jury Services and check in there. I thank you, sir.
JUROR: Okay. Thank you.
(Venire Badge 943 exited.)
THE COURT: Juror in Seat 33, wearing Badge 943, was stricken for cause by way of stipulation.
Let's move to juror in Seat 35, please.
(Venire Badge 664 entered.)
THE COURT: Juror in Seat 35, good afternoon, ma'am.
JUROR: Hi.
THE COURT: The Court had asked you a lot of questions and you knew a lot of the answers or felt like you knew a lot of those things regarding watching a video of a man ina suitcase, the law enforcement interview with Ms. Boone, body-worn camera with Ms. Boone, comments about it, prior knowledge of the case, and feelings that you could not be fair and impartial. Have you been actively following this case?
JUROR: Yes.
THE COURT: Okay. All right. When's the last time you observed or watched anything about this case?
JUROR: Maybe last week.
THE COURT: Okay. All right. Thank you.
State?
THE COURT: Defense?
MR. HENDERSON: No follow-up.
THE COURT: All right. Can the parties approach for a moment?
(At the bench.)
THE COURT: I'm assuming cause?
MR. HENDERSON: Stipulate.
THE COURT: All right. Juror in Seat 35, wearing Badge 664, will be stricken for cause. Thank you.
(In open court.)
THE COURT: All right. Ma'tam, thank you so much for your honesty and your time. We're going to go ahead and dismiss you. At this time, I need you to head back down to the first floor to Jury Services and check in there. They'll tell you where you need to go.
JUROR: Okay. Thank you.
THE COURT: God bless you, ma'am. Thank you very much.
(Venire Badge 664 exited.)
THE COURT: Juror in Seat 35, wearing Badge 664, has been stricken for cause by way of stipulation.
That leaves us with Juror No. 28 regarding the medical issues and nausea and Juror No. 39 who reported back to the jury room instead of here.
State, do you wish to inguire as to Juror No. 28 before we bring in 39, since the scope would be limited?
MR. JAY: Yes. And both prosecutors agree that she did have her paddle up for questions about being fair.
THE COURT: She did, you are correct. That is correct. Thank you.
Let's go ahead and bring in juror in Seat 28, please.
(Venire Badge 366 entered.)
THE COURT: Juror in Seat 28, good afternoon, ma'am.
JUROR: Hi.
THE COURT: You had advised us earlier that you were taking some medication that may affect vertigo?
JUROR: Yeah.
THE COURT: And that when I asked, based on the charges that were read in this case, if you could be fair and impartial, you raised your hand.
JUROR: Yes.
THE COURT: I want to talk about that first.
JUROR: Sure.
THE COURT: Go ahead.
JUROR: Okay. So my family has also been involved in a murder case back in 2003, Stephanie Lorraine Laros [ph] in Osceola County, so I do have a very strong opinion on courts and being a part of something that has to do with murder. My sister was murdered. So I do not feel like I am a good fit to be a juror in this time.
Also, with what we were discussing earlier, just to make it clear, I did not recognize the names, but I have seen video. I have seen a video and I do know a little bit about this case. I did not recognize the names and I could not see this person clearly from where I was sitting, so yes.
THE COURT: Did you actively search for those videos or that's something you just came across?
JUROR: No, no. I watch a lot of crime videos, so they just kind of come up, so...
THE COURT: When's the last time you watched a video pertaining to Ms. Boone?
JUROR: Oh, I don't know. Probably a couple months, maybe.
THE COURT: Okay. All right. Thank you, ma'am.
State, any follow-up?
THE COURT: Defense?
MR. HENDERSON: No, Your Honor.
THE COURT: All right. Can the parties approach, please?
(At the bench.)
THE COURT: I'm assuming cause?
MR. HENDERSON: Stipulate.
THE COURT: Okay. Juror No. -- Seat 28, wearing Badge 366, will be stricken for cause by way of stipulation. Thank you.
(In open court.)
THE COURT: All right. Ma'am, thank you so much. You have my sympathies for what happened to your sister in Osceola County in 2003. We're going to release you at this time. You can head back down to Jury Services on the first floor and they'll tell you where to go. And thank you again for your time.
JUROR: Thank you.
(Venire Badge 366 exited.)
THE COURT: Juror in Seat 28, wearing Badge 366, has been stricken for cause by way of stipulation.
Let's bring in Juror No. 39, and I'll address those specific questions and the reading of the Information.
(Venire Badge 413 entered.)
THE COURT: Juror No. 39, good afternoon, ma'am.
So as I said earlier, we're here in a criminal case, and in every criminal case, the State of Florida files a document that's called an Information. What this document does is just tell us what the charge is that Ms. Boone is facing in this case and that the State will have the burden of proving beyond and to the exclusion of each and every reasonable doubt during trial. It's not evidence of guilt. It's not evidence of anything. It should not be given any weight whatsoever and it should not be considered as such.
The Information that was filed in this case reads as follows: Aramis D. Ayala, State Attorney of the Ninth Judicial Circuit prosecuting for the State of Florida in Orange County, or Aramis D. Ayala, State Attorney of the Ninth Judicial Circuit prosecuting for the State of Florida in Orange County, by and through the undersigned Designated Assistant State Attorney, under oath, charges that Sarah Boone, on or about the 23rd day of February, 2020, in said county and state, did, in violation of Florida Statute 782.04(2), by an act imminently dangerous to another, and evidencing a depraved mind, regardless of human life, did kill Jorge Torres.
This is a murder case. It is not a death penalty case. Raise your paddle, ma'tam, if you know anything about this case or the persons and places and people involved.
Ma'am, do you know anything about the case?
JUROR: No.
THE COURT: Okay. Have you ever seen a video of a man in a suitcase?
JUROR: Yes.
THE COURT: Okay. Do you recall when you saw that video?
JUROR: About a month ago.
THE COURT: Okay. Is it something that you happened to stumble upon or was it something you were actively seeking out?
JUROR: I saw it on the news.
THE COURT: Okay. All right. Have you viewed any comments, have you commented on any social media platform or chat room about that video of a man ina suitcase?
JUROR: No.
THE COURT: Have you ever seen a video of Ms. Boone being interrogated by police?
JUROR: I don't know if it was the police or a reporter that I saw on the news.
THE COURT: Okay. When's the last time you saw that?
JUROR: About -- it was a month ago.
THE COURT: Is that something you actively sought out or just happened to come across?
JUROR: No, no. I just came across it.
THE COURT: Okay. Have you ever commented on any social media platform or chat room about that video of Ms. Boone being interrogated by police?
JUROR: No.
THE COURT: Have you ever seen any body-worn camera videos in which Ms. Boone is speaking to police?
JUROR: I don't know. I saw a video, but I don't know if it was the police or the news. I'm sorry.
THE COURT: Okay. All right. And that's the same video about a month ago we spoke about earlier?
JUROR: Yes, uh-huh.
THE COURT: All right. Thank you, ma'am.
Have you commented on any social media platform or chat room about any body-worn camera evidencing communications or interactions between Ms. Boone and law enforcement?
JUROR: No.
THE COURT: Have you posted or commented on any social media platform about Ms. Boone?
JUROR: No.
THE COURT: Have you read any posts or comments on any social media platform or chat room about Ms. Boone?
JUROR: No.
THE COURT: Have you ever liked any comments about Ms. Boone?
JUROR: No.
THE COURT: Have you ever shared on any social media platform any comments about Ms. Boone?
JUROR: (Shakes head.)
THE COURT: Is that a no?
JUROR: No.
THE COURT: Sorry, I'm not trying to call you out.
Have you learned anything about this case prior to today?
JUROR: Only what I saw on the news.
THE COURT: And it was the same news from a month ago?
JUROR: Yes.
THE COURT: Other than that news that you watched a month ago, is there any other knowledge that you have about this case?
JUROR: No.
THE COURT: After hearing the charge in this case, without knowing anything else, do you have such strong feelings that you could not be a fair and impartial juror?
JUROR: No.
THE COURT: Okay. All right. Thank you.
Do you have any strongly-held religious beliefs that for moral or religious reasons, you could not serve as a juror in this matter?
JUROR: No.
THE COURT: All right. State, any questions?
THE COURT: Defense?
MR. HENDERSON: Yes, please.
THE COURT: You may proceed, sir.
MR. HENDERSON: Ma'am, once hearing about this case or seeing it on the news, did you talk to anyone about it?
JUROR: No.
MR. HENDERSON: All right. No further questions.
THE COURT: Okay. Thank you.
All right. Can the parties approach?
(At the bench.)
THE COURT: Defense?
MR. HENDERSON: No motion.
THE COURT: Okay. All right. Thank you very much.
(In open court.)
THE COURT: All right. Ma'tam, I'm going to ask you to go back outside. We'll call you-all in momentarily, okay? Thank you.
(Venire Badge 413 exited.)
THE COURT: I had a note with regard to Juror No. 18 as to following up for transportation for his grandmother's medical appointments. Do we want to call him in at this time to inquire if he made any investigation into that?
MR. HENDERSON: Yes.
THE COURT: All right. Let's bring in juror in Seat 18, wearing Badge 2870.
(Venire Badge 2870 entered.)
JUROR: Hello.
THE COURT: Juror in Seat 18, good afternoon, sir. Earlier you told us that you care for your grandmother and transporting her to certain medical appointments that she may have over the next couple of weeks and you said that you were going to follow up to see if there was anyone else who may be able to assist. Were you able to do that, sir?
JUROR: Yeah. The only person that could take h er is my uncle, but he's going to be in Miami for work next week, so he won't be able to take her to any of next week's appointments. After that, he should be good, but next week, there's no one that would be able to take her besides me.
THE COURT: All right. Thank you.
State?
THE COURT: Defense?
MR. HENDERSON: No questions.
THE COURT: All right. Can you-all approach for a moment?
(At the bench.)
THE COURT: Mr. Jay?
MR. HENDERSON: Stipulate.
THE COURT: Okay. Juror in Seat 18, wearing Badge 2870, will stricken for cause by way of stipulation. Thank you.
(In open court.)
THE COURT: Juror in Seat 18, thank you so much, Sir. We're going to go ahead and dismiss you at this time. You can head down to the first floor and check in to Jury Services. They'll tell you where to go. I thank you so much for your service, sir.
JUROR: Thank you so much.
THE COURT: Thank you.
JUROR: Have a good one.
(Venire Badge 2870 exited.)
THE COURT: Juror in Seat 18, wearing Badge 2870, has been stricken for cause by way of stipulation.
That leaves us with jurors in Seats 4, 8, 9, 24, 27, 30, 32, 34, 39, 44, and 48.
State, is that accurate?
THE COURT: Defense?
MR. HENDERSON: Could you read it again, please?
THE COURT: I can, sir. 4, 8, 9, 24, 27, 30, 32, 34, 39, 44, and 48.
MR. HENDERSON: Agree.
THE COURT: Okay. At this point in time, the Court is inclined to bring in the balance of our panel, advise them that they've been selected to potentially serve as a juror in this case and provide them a slip of paper with a telephone number to call in at 5:00. It prompts them what to do. A recording will be provided to them to advise when they need to return to the Jury Services room.
State, do you want to take a look at this --
THE COURT: -- or do you want me to just read it into the record? I'll do both. I have a copy for yourself and for the defense.
The notice that would be provided to our prospective jurors reads as follows: You have been selected as a juror in the case of State of Florida vs. Sarah Boone and have been directed to report back for service. Please call (407) 836-2048, then press option six to hear a recording which confirms you are to report back for service and notifies you of your report date and time. Listen for your case name. Please note the message line is updated at 5 p.m. each day and, as such, do not call prior to that time to ensure you get current information. On the day you are to report, if you are running late, have an emergency, et cetera, if it is before 5 p.m., please call (407) 836-2023. This number goes straight to the Jury Room. If you are calling after 5 p.m., please call (407) 836-6060. This is the sheriff's office and the only number answered after 5 p.m.
MR. JAY: From the State's perspective, I think the first sentence is misleading, because they haven't been selected as a juror yet, and that could be confusing to them. They may be expecting to go ahead and make plans for three weeks when it's not true.
THE COURT: Okay.
MR. HENDERSON: I could see how that could be, Judge. I'm trying to think of a way to restate it, though. We can tell them that your service is still needed at the present time for this case or -- I don't know how the State would like to form it.
THE COURT: If we were to interlineate, because I already have about 50 or 60 copies -- I think I have 200 copies of it, actually. To interlineate, You have been selected as a potential juror, would that be acceptable?
THE COURT: Would that be acceptable?
MR. HENDERSON: Agreeable.
THE COURT: Okay. So I'll handwrite in and I'll have Anita during the lunch hour make new copies with that included language. Other than that concern, Mr. Jay, any other concern with the sum and substance of this notice?
MR. HENDERSON: Not of the notice.
THE COURT: Okay. We've got --
THE COURT: Oh, yeah, 11. I skipped 20. Okay. I will have 11 copies. I'll hand them to the deputy after I write in "potential." I will read this to them and then excuse them.
We have another panel of 50. Madam Clerk has confirmed that. It is 12:23. I anticipate we'll be wrapped up by 12:30. Is everybody okay starting at 1:45 this afternoon for continued jury selection in this matter?
MR. HENDERSON: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: Okay. All right. Very good.
MR. HENDERSON: Judge, I would ask -- I have one request.
THE COURT: Yes, sir.
MR. HENDERSON: When the Court brings them back in and excuses them, is the Court going to read them a cautionary instruction or give them a cautionary instruction about not doing any research on the case?
THE COURT: Any position?
MR. JAY: I would caution them against using their social media. I would caution them against watching the news at all, just because they will -- they will get to us.
THE COURT: Okay. I will read -- give me a moment.
I will read the following instruction, if this is acceptable: Jurors, you must not conduct any investigation on your own. This includes reading newspapers, watching television, or using a computer, cell phone, the internet, any electronic device, or any other means at all to get information related to this case or the people and places involved in this case. This applies whether you are in the courthouse, at home, or anywhere else. You must not visit places mentioned in the trial or use the internet to look at maps or pictures to see any place discussed during the trial. Jurors must not have discussions of any sort with friends, family members, or even your fellow jurors about the case or the people and places involved, so do not let anyone make comments to you or ask questions about the trial.
I want to stress again that just as you must not talk about this case face-to-face, you must not talk about this case by using an electronic device. You must not use phones, computers, or other electronic devices to communicate. Do not send or accept any messages related to this case or your jury service. Do not discuss this case or ask for advice by any means at all, including posting information on an internet website, chat room, or blog.
THE COURT: I think that's from 2.1, yes.
MR. JAY: But I would just also caution them that if they go on social media or if they go onto anything that's going to expose them to local news, they're likely to be exposed to this and we're going to have to ask them again when we return about that.
THE COURT: Okay. All right. So is it an outright prohibition on them viewing the news?
MR. HENDERSON: I think that's the safest route, Judge.
THE COURT: Okay. All right. Then I'll add as well to -- this includes watching any of the local news, television, or newspapers at all.
Okay. All right. Let me make 11 changes and then T'll hand them to the deputy to hand out and then I'll give them that instruction and we'll be in recess shortly thereafter.
Anything else, State?
THE COURT: Anything else?
MR. HENDERSON: Nothing.
THE COURT: Okay. Thank you. Give me a moment to make these.
(Pause. )
THE COURT: All right. Can we go ahead and bring back in the balance of our panel, State?
THE COURT: Defense?
MR. HENDERSON: Yes, Your Honor.
THE COURT: All right. Let's go ahead and stand and bring in the balance of our panel.
(Above-mentioned venirepersons entered.)
THE COURT: State, do you recognize the balance of our panel?
THE COURT: Defense, do you recognize the balance of our panel?
MR. HENDERSON: Yes, Your Honor.
THE COURT: All right. You-all can be seated. Thank you.
Members of the jury, if you can, by a show of paddles, that you've complied with the Court's instructions during our break. You haven't talked about the case or persons, places involved?
Record will reflect all paddles have been raised.
Members of the jury -- or members of our panel, rather, you have been selected as potential jurors in the case of the State of Florida vs. Sarah Boone and have been directed to report back for service. What I'm reading to you now is a form that you'll be given copies of by the deputies. You don't need to memorize all of this, because there's some phone numbers. I'm going to give them to you.
Please call (407) 836-2048, then press option six to hear a recording which confirms you are to report back for service and notifies you of your report date and time. Listen for your case name. Please note the message line is updated at 5 p.m. each day and, as such, do not call prior to that time to ensure you get current information. If you are running late on the date you are to report, have an emergency, et cetera, if it is before 5 p.m., please call (407) 836-2023. This number goes straight to the Jury Room. If you are calling after 5 p.m., please call (407) 836-6060. This is the sheriff's office and the only number answered after 5 p.m.
I have some additional instructions to read to you before we discharge you. Jurors, you must not conduct any investigation of your own. This includes reading newspapers, watching television, or using a computer, cell phone, the internet, any electronic device, or any other means at all to get information related to this case or the people and places involved in this case. This applies whether you are in the courthouse, at home, or anywhere else. You must not visit places mentioned in the trial or use the internet to look at maps or pictures to see any place discussed during the trial. You must not watch any local news or read any local newspapers. Jurors must not have discussions of any sort with friends, family members, or even your fellow jurors about the case or the people and places involved, so do not let anyone make comments to you or ask questions about the trial.
I want to stress again that just as you must not talk about this case face-to-face, you must not talk about this case by using an electronic device. You must not use phones, computers, or other electronic devices to communicate. Do not send or accept any messages related to this case or your jury service. Do not discuss this case by asking for advice by any means at all, including posting information on an internet website, chat room, or blog.
Deputy Bruce is at the door. He will be providing you the slips for the telephone numbers for you to call. Please call after 5 p.m., and it will advise you as to the date and time for your return. I thank you again for your sacrifice and your time and your service in this matter, and we'll be seeing you in the near future. Thank you.
(Above-mentioned venirepersons exited.)
THE COURT: You-all can be seated. Thank you.
State, anything else we need to address?
THE COURT: Defense?
MR. OWENS: No, sir.
THE COURT: All right. Court will be in recess until 1:45, where we'll continue with jury selection at that time. Thank you.
(Court recessed for lunch at 12:32 p.m.)
(The following proceedings were resumed at 2:08 p.m., stenographically reported by June Bufford.)
THE COURT: We're back on the record in Case No. 2020-CF-2603, State of Florida vs. Sarah Boone.
Let me get appearances for the State.
MR. CACCIATORE: Dave Cacciatore for the State.
MR. OWENS: James Owens for defense.
MR. HENDERSON: Tony Henderson for Sarah Boone.