Jury selection begins in McVeigh bombing trial

March 31, 1997
Web posted at: 2:41 p.m. EST (1941 GMT)

In this story:

Potential juror cried at bomb site
McVeigh's father was in court
Trial seen by some on closed-circuit TV
Narrowing the jury pool
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DENVER (CNN) -- Jury selection began Monday in the trial of Timothy McVeigh, one of two men accused of blowing up the Oklahoma City federal building two years ago in the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil.

The first prospective juror -- an investment adviser identified only as No. 858 -- said he suspected that other people who have not been arrested were involved.

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"There are elements, potentially people out there, that are ancillary to this case, that might want to make their strength and presence felt," he said.

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(640K/27 sec. AIFF or WAV sound)

Potential juror cried at bomb site

"The case runs further and deeper than one individual," the man said, indicating he was concerned for his safety should he be chosen for the jury.

His parents felt McVeigh should be convicted, the man said, but added that he hasn't formed any opinions himself. He said he thought he would be able to sentence McVeigh to death "if the facts justify it."

The prospective juror, who was living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the time of the April 19, 1995, bombing, said that three weeks later he visited the Oklahoma City site, where he said a prayer and cried.

The man also said he felt the government was too aggressive in its handling of the 1993 Branch Davidian standoff near Waco, Texas, and the 1992 siege at white separatist Randy Weaver's mountain cabin in Ruby Ridge, Idaho.

McVeigh watched and listened intently. He was dressed in a Navy blue shirt and khaki pants and had a close-cropped haircut.

Questioning of a second juror -- a woman identified only as juror number 157 -- began when court resumed at 11:15 a.m.

McVeigh's father was in court

McVeigh, 28, and former Army buddy Terry Nichols, 41, have been charged with bombing the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The blast killed 168 people, including 19 children, and injured hundreds more.

Nichols will stand trial after McVeigh, who is charged with planting the bomb. They face the death penalty if convicted.

McVeigh's attorney Stephen Jones, lead prosecutor Joseph Hartzler and Nichols' lead attorney, Michael Tigar, all entered the heavily secured courthouse about a half-hour before proceedings began.

McVeigh's father, William McVeigh, followed the defense entourage into the building.

Although his lawyers are present, Nichols was not in the courtroom and is not expected to attend the trial.

Trial seen by some on closed-circuit TV

About a dozen would-be spectators, including some relatives of bombing victims or survivors of the blast, lined up hours before the trial began, hoping to watch in person.

There were 12 seats available in the courtroom, and another 100 seats in an adjoining courtroom were set up to allow people to listen to -- but not see -- the trial.

"I'm here from gavel to gavel," said Roy Sells, whose wife, Lee, was killed in the bombings. "From what I've seen in the hearings, I think they've got the right people."

Tom Kight, whose stepdaughter, Frankie Merrell, died in the blast, said the family was still haunted by the loss of the 23-year-old woman, who left a small child.

"Yesterday was a difficult day because it was Easter. We were recalling hiding Easter eggs when Frankie was small," he said before going in.

600 miles from the Denver trial site, a closed circuit TV feed to a Federal Aviation Administration office in Oklahoma City can accommodate up to 315 bomb survivors and victims' relatives, selected in a daily lottery.

62 people watched the feed on a 12-by-26-foot screen as jury selection got under way.

Narrowing the jury pool

Jury selection was expected to take about two weeks, with about 380 prospective jurors questioned individually before U.S. District Judge Richard Matsch and lawyers for both sides.

After the field is reduced to 64 people who have agreed to consider the death penalty as a punishment, each side may dismiss 20 without giving a reason.

Finally, after 12 jurors have been selected, six alternates will be chosen, with each side allowed to dismiss three candidates without cause.

The jury pool drew from 23 Colorado counties. The jurors will be paid $40 a day for the first month and then get a raise to $50. They also will be reimbursed for mileage. And they will get weekends off.

Correspondent Tony Clark contributed to this report

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