Fast pace set in selection of jurors for Strohmeyer

Bill Gang

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 1998 | 10:47 a.m.

Wide-eyed and biting his lip nervously, Jeremy Strohmeyer was introduced Monday to the first group of prospects to be jurors at his trial on charges of raping and murdering 7-year-old Sherrice Iverson at a Primm casino.

As jury selection began amid tight security and national media scrutiny, the potential panelists were grilled by defense and prosecution lawyers about a variety of beliefs and topics. The purpose was to reach one conclusion: Could they be fair and judge the case only on the evidence presented in court?

By the end of the first of what is likely to be many court days, the lawyers had deemed that 11 of the people questioned would be acceptable jurors. Of those, one was a black man and two were women.

Only two panelists were excused because of their answers. One said he believed that because of the extensive media coverage, he probably had reached a premature conclusion about Strohmeyer's guilt. Another panelist said she has three family members who are lawmen and probably would give greater weight to law-enforcement witnesses as a result.

The attorneys must find 38 acceptable potential jurors from the pool of nearly 200 people who have been called for the final questioning sessions.

The rapid pace of jury selection indicates that defense concerns over the wide scope of news coverage in the case were unfounded and that suggestions of the need to transfer the case to another county for trial were premature.

Nearly all of the panelists questioned Monday said they were aware of the case from newspaper and television reports, but most of those swore they could set aside the perceptions gleaned from that information.

The lawyers probed those statements to ensure that such answers were more than mere lip service to secure a spot on the jury for a nationally watched trial. Court TV is broadcasting the trial live and national television news and talk shows have been following the case. Locally, Las Vegas 1 is offering live coverage of the jury selection.

Strohmeyer's face has appeared on the cover of People magazine, and newspapers across the country -- but primarily from Southern California -- have been following closely the legal events as they unfold.

Strohmeyer, 19, was a Long Beach high school student on the verge of graduating when he was arrested May 28, 1997, on charges that he had raped and murdered Iverson, of Los Angeles, in a Primm casino restroom three days before.

If a jury convicts Strohmeyer of first-degree murder, the same jury would have to decide whether he should be given the death penalty, life in prison with or without the possibility of parole or a 50-year prison sentence.

Prosecutors questioned prospective jurors to be sure they are capable of handing down the death penalty if there is a conviction and circumstances warrant it.

Defense attorneys questioned panelists to be sure that is not the only sentence they would consider.

There were questions about whether Strohmeyer's age would affect a verdict, whether race is a factor -- Iverson is black and the defendant is white -- and whether it is perceived that police fabricate evidence or lie in court.

During questioning, lawyers on both sides took the opportunity to insert subtle influences into the panelists' minds.

Prosecutors repeatedly asked prospective jurors whether they believed people should be held accountable for their actions.

Los Angeles defense attorney Leslie Abramson questioned prospective jurors about their ability to stand up to other jurors during deliberations if opinions differ. She emphasized that a hung jury is preferable to a compromise verdict.

Abramson's repeated comments in response to panelists' answers finally drew an angry warning from Chief District Judge Myron Leavitt to stop editorializing and pick up the pace of the questioning.

If Monday's pace continues, a jury of 12 plus six alternates could be selected by Thursday, although Leavitt said that opening statements still would not be heard until Sept. 8. That would give the jurors a long holiday weekend to prepare for weeks of being sequestered, out of contact with their families and jobs, while the trial is in progress.

Each side in the case has eight "challenges" that can be used to excuse panelists for any tactical reason. Two additional challenges are allowed per side in determining the final alternate jurors.

LAS VEGAS 1, the only local 24-hour news station, will provide the latest trial developments tonight at 9 on Prime Cable channels 1 and 39. Visit the Sun's website at lasvegassun.com for additional trial coverage.