Day 13 - February 4, 2015

Judge O'Toole explained that jurors would first decide guilt and would consider punishment only after a capital conviction. He outlined aggravating and mitigating proof, the unanimous findings required for a death sentence, and the principle that death is never required. Before individual questioning, he described protections for sensitive personal answers and renewed restrictions on case discussions, research, and media exposure. The venire was sworn to answer truthfully. Individual questioning explored publicity, existing opinions, personal connections, employment hardship, and capital punishment. Juror 237 said extensive coverage would make contrary evidence difficult to believe. Jurors 274 and 292 described difficulty setting aside opinions of guilt, while Juror 275 revised an earlier assurance of impartiality because of work-related response connections and online participation in the manhunt. Juror 267 strongly doubted he could disregard prior views but did not say it was impossible. Sentencing questions examined whether jurors could consider both available punishments. Juror 260 questioned whether life imprisonment necessarily prevented release but said he thought he could accept an instruction that it did. Juror 263 said death would not be automatic. Juror 281 expressed strong, though not absolute, support for capital punishment and acknowledged possible influence from loyalty to a Marine friend. Juror 296 ultimately said he would not vote for death under any circumstances. The judge limited several hypothetical, repetitive, speculative, or argumentative questions. In the later qualification rulings, the court rejected defense challenges to Jurors 260 and 263, allowed unopposed strikes of Jurors 281 and 296, and excused Juror 288 as substantially impaired in considering a death sentence.