Roundup: Duncan Taking Active Role In Defense

It’s still an open question as to whether Joseph Duncan will deliver an opening statement in his sentencing trial today, but so far, Duncan has been taking an active role in his own defense. When the two sides exercised peremptory challenges to winnow down the pool of 61 prospective jurors, the judge advised Duncan that since the jurors weren’t in the room, he could have his standby lawyers sit at the table with him if he wanted, for convenience. Duncan declined, and handled all the peremptory challenges himself, confidently and quickly reading off the names of the jurors he chose to challenge/ Betsy Russell , Eye On Boise. More here .

* Impossible to unring bell
* Alternates don’t know
* Opening statements will be after lunch
* Prospective juror with daughter named Shasta dismissed