Lawyer Tip: Jury Selection Examination on Homosexuality Bias One of the primary functions of voir dire (jury selection) is to identify “challenges for cause.” Basically, developing facts demonstrating that a person is not legally fit to serve on a jury. This requires skill and keeping up with current appellate decisions and legal trends. We are all used to challenging jurors for a variety of biases or prejudices. Bias against the race or gender of a criminal defendant is a reason to challenge someone for cause. A bias in favor of the prosecution or police is another reason I’ve had hundreds of prospective jurors struck. Recently, I picked a jury, and it occurred to me that views on same-sex relationships may
Read more →Tarrant County Medical Examiner Dr. Nizam Peerwani Testifies at Murder Trial Media coverage has highlighted many of the witnesses that have testified in the Michele Williams murder trial in Tarrant County, Texas. One of those witnesses, Dr. Nizam Peerwani, testified about the autopsy performed in the case; however, he was not the medical examiner that actually conducted the autopsy. According to testimony, a mysterious “Dr. White” actually performed the procedure, but for an undisclosed reason Dr. Peerwani terminated Dr. White some time ago. Now the State is relying on the expertise of Dr. Peerwani to sponsor the autopsy findings – although he never actually viewed the body. Something perhaps of interest to trial voyeurs, the Tarrant County Auditor’s Office can
Read more →Thank You Toby Shook for Letting me Tag Along I had the privilege of sitting second chair with one of the State’s finest trial attorneys, Toby Shook. Until I showed up on the Collin County Courthouse steps, I’d not met Mr. Shook. I heard he was an exceptional trial attorney and a great guy. I can say after spending the day with him, the rumors are spot on. A mutual friend, Keith Harris, connected us to try a case together. I jumped at the chance. I sat taking notes during Toby’s voir dire yesterday. There was a factual issue in our case that some might characterize as “squirrelly.” Although the fact issue would not have been a silver bullet in
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