Could You Qualify to Be Selected As a Juror?

Mario McNeill faces trial by jury on seven charges that include first-degree murder, first-degree rape of a child, first-degree kidnapping, human trafficking with a child victim, sexual servitude with a child victim, sexual offense of a child and indecent liberties with a child.

The ethnic breakdown and sex of the 87 juror candidates appeared to consist of: 20 white males, 18 black males, four males of other ethnic backgrounds, 25 white females, 19 black females, and one other female of a different race.

Jury Qualifications

• Cumberland County resident
• Age 18 and older
• Must not have been selected for a jury in the past two years
• Cannot have a felony conviction
• Must be of sound mind

Rules

Judge Ammons clearly laid out the ground rules to the juror candidates making sure they understood that they are to wear their red badge at all times and cannot speak about the case while in the elevators, restrooms, break rooms or anywhere else, to include their homes.

The juror candidates were instructed to tell their families they were being considered for a high profile case and could not talk about it. They were also warned not to listen to the radio, seek information online - to include details about the death penalty, to read any news current or past that surrounds the case.

"We are looking for 12 folks who can be completely fair and impartial in trying this case," said Judge Ammons.

"You must remain objective and fair at all times," said Judge Ammons to the juror candidates. "Jurors will not be photographed or filmed in any way, some limited coverage has been permitted."

He informed juror candidates that they will be asked about their religious and moral beliefs and that there are no wrong answers, just answer all questions honestly and openly, not hiding anything.

Asking the group if they thought they were fair, or in this case unfair, two candidates raised their hands. Judge Ammons followed up with this illustration: "If there was a dispute between a Tar Heel basketball game and Duke, I should not be a judge or referee in that game."

In a cordial yet thorough manner, Judge Ammons continued the education process by providing detailed definitions to the juror candidates for terms like: deliberation, malice, aggregating circumstances versus a mitigating circumstance.

The Process

Typically weeks before a case, jury summons are mailed out. When one is summoned to jury duty, it is important they comply fully with the requirements of the summons. Exceptions are made that morning and some could be excused.

Report to the jury assembly room on the third floor in room #339 of the Cumberland County Courthouse, 117 Dick Street in Fayetteville.

After entering the jury assembly room, the jury coordinator checks those in attendance off verifying names and addresses are correct as it appears on the summons. After all jurors are processed, a fifteen-minute video designed to educate jurors on the procedures of jury service is shown.

Upon completion of the video the jury coordinator will complete the orientation process, answer any additional questions that one might have about jury service, and administer the juror oath.  Jurors are given a red badge to wear while in the courthouse.

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