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Jury Seated in Exford Trial, Opening Arguments Set to
Begin Tuesday
Published: March 07, 2022 at
04:45 p.m.
By: Nick Altmire
PHOTO: Defendant Shawn L. Exford enters Lewis County
Court on March 7, 2022,
as jury selection begins in Murder and Arson trial
Lowville, NY- The first day of
the Shawn
L. Exford murder and arson trial in Lewis County Court has
concluded, with a full jury now seated.
Both defense
attorney John Hallett and prosecutors Caleb Petzoldt
and Mark Lemieux spent the day questioning potential jurors on their
ability to remain fair and impartial before seating the 12 jurors and 4
alternates that will hear the case.
A group of 29
potential jurors participated in the morning session of jury selection, with
8 of those chosen to serve on the jury. An additional pool of 26 potential
jurors were then brought in for the afternoon session, with 4 selected to
serve on the 12-person jury and 4 chosen to serve as alternates.
The jury is made
up of 9 women and 3 men, with two women and two men serving as the
alternates.
The jury has been
instructed to return to court on Tuesday morning at 9 a.m., when opening arguments
are expected to begin. Presiding Judge Daniel R. King noted to jurors that
they should expect to be in court from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day through
the conclusion of the trial.
The jury has been
instructed to not discuss the case with anyone and to not listen to or
consume any news media pertaining to the case. They were also told that
they are not allowed to visit the scene of the alleged crimes.
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