Jury selection in the capital murder trial of Justin Thurber began as scheduled Monday morning and the process moved forward steadily most of the day, Cowley County Attorney Chris Smith said.
At the end of the day, 12 potential jurors had been qualified during proceedings at the county courthouse in Winfield. A total of 42 potential jurors will need to be qualified before the jury of 12 ? and four alternates ? is chosen.
Smith would not speculate on how long the entire selection process will last but it is expected to consume most if not all of this week. More than 400 potential jurors have filled out questionnaires in regard to the case.
"We just keep going until we get to 42 and go from there," he said. "It’s however long that takes."
The number of potential jurors in the jury pool is considerably larger for this trial due to defense concerns in regard to picking an impartial jury. Judge Jim Pringle denied a defense request to move the proceedings out of Cowley County.
Many trials in the county proceed with 12 jurors and one or two alternates.
Opening statements in the case are expected to be presented in early February once a jury is seated.
Smith said the prosecution plans on using up to 15 days to present its case to the jury. There are at least 150 potential witnesses that could testify, he said.
Thurber is accused of the Jan. 2007 kidnapping and murder of Jodi Sanderholm.
