McVeigh guilty, potential juror says as trial resumes

Jury selection proceeds slowly

April 1, 1997
Web posted at: 2:27 p.m. EST (1927 GMT)

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Most potential jurors willing to consider death penalty
Small turnout for closed circuit viewing
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DENVER (CNN) -- Jury selection in the murder-conspiracy trial of Oklahoma City bombing suspect Timothy McVeigh resumed Tuesday with the sixth potential juror back for more questioning. She was among two men and four women questioned on Monday, the first day of a selection process expected to take two to three weeks.

The sixth possible juror, a woman identified only as number 851, told the court she believes McVeigh is guilty, based on media reports. "As you sit here today do you believe he is guilty based on what you read?" McVeigh's lead attorney Stephen Jones asked.

"Yes sir," she responded.

"Can you judge his guilt or innocence based on evidence in this case?" Jones asked her.

"It may be hard to set aside things implanted in your head by the media," she said.

During Monday's questioning, the woman said April 19, the date of the blast, is also her birthday -- and that she dreads it, because she always expects a tragedy to happen.

A seventh potential juror, also a woman, was questioned as well Tuesday.

Most potential jurors willing to consider death penalty

At least five of those questioned so far have indicated they would be willing to consider the death penalty if McVeigh is convicted for the 1995 bombing that killed 168 people.

The death penalty is rare in federal cases.

McVeigh, 28, and his former Army buddy Terry Nichols, who turned 42 Tuesday, both are charged with murder and conspiracy in the deaths of the eight federal employees killed in the Murrah Federal Building blast.

Both men also face state murder charges in the other 160 deaths.

Nichols will be tried after McVeigh.

McVeigh's divorced parents, William McVeigh and Mildred Frazier, entered the courthouse together and exchanged greetings with their son Tuesday morning before the trial resumed.

Small turnout for closed circuit viewing

The Denver trial also is being transmitted to Oklahoma City for a closed circuit television viewing in an auditorium in a Federal Aviation Administration building.

Only about 62 of the 320 seats were filled Monday, and there were fewer people Tuesday.

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