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Four jurors seated for Pelo trial
05/12/2008 23:22:12
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| Jeff Pelo is accused of raping four women over a three year period and of stalking another potential victim. |
By Colleen Reynolds and Beth Whisman
Four jurors have been seated in the Jeff Pelo sexual assault and stalking trial after the first day of questioning. Two men and two women were selected on Day 1. The selection process will continue tomorrow in McLean County court.
Earlier in the day, a judge dismissed two potential jurors who said they couldn't be objective. An assistant ISU Professor said she had already made up her mind about the case against the former Bloomington police sergeant and didn't think she could be fair. Another young woman was dismissed because her uncle might be a witness. He's a police officer, and there are 44 scheduled to take the stand out of the 116 total witnesses who'll be called.
Prosecutor Mark Messman asked jurors if they watch shows like "Law and Order", "The Wire", and "CSI". The defense asked whether jurors generally believe eyewitnesses are reliable.
Lawyer Michael Rosenblat's defense hinges on the fact the four victims were assaulted by a man wearing a ski mask. He also asked how would-be jurors felt about pornography. The investigation uncovered pornography on Pelo's home computer. Pelo is accused of raping four women over a three year period and of stalking another potential victim.
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