VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Potential jurors in the trial of sniper suspect John Allen Muhammad were questioned about their views on the death penalty Wednesday and asked whether they were terrorized by the crimes.
Defense lawyers had predicted jury selection would be difficult because of the heavy publicity surrounding last October’s Washington-area killing spree, in which 10 people were killed.
Thirteen jurors in all were qualified to serve on the trial Wednesday, while two were excluded.
Most potential jurors reported limited exposure to news coverage of the attacks and the case against Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo, who goes on trial separately next month.
By the pace of Wednesday’s proceedings, it appeared likely a jury of 12 would be impaneled some time today or early Friday. Prosecutor Paul Ebert said he expected opening arguments to begin Monday.
Muhammad, 42, is charged in the slaying of 53-year-old Dean Harold Meyers, who was cut down by a bullet that struck him in the head as he filled up at a gas station near Manassas.
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