3:17 -- Jury for Washington trial whittled by 17; questioning continues
Judge Thomas Reese, prosecutors and defense attorneys have concluded private questioning of individual jurors in the double-murder retrial of Roderick Washington.
Washington is accused in the 2006 double-murder of Jeffrey and Alexis Sosa in Cape Coral. He faces two charges each of kidnaping and first-degree murder, and was convicted of two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon during his first trial.
As a result of the questioning, 17 of 55 potential jurors were excused for various reasons. Two jurors said that for religious reasons they could not judge other people.
One potential juror was excused after he told Reese he knew several witnesses as schoolmates, including co-defendant Cody Roux, who pleaded guilty to two counts each of kidnaping and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in 2008 in exchange for a 14-year prison sentence. The juror also told Reese he knew the Sosas through mutual friends.
Despite defense attorney Paul Sullivan’s motions to dismiss potential jurors with knowledge of Washington’s recently received 30-year prison sentence, those jurors were allowed to stay for the time being.
Jurors are now being asked biographical questions in open court, after which lawyers will be given the opportunity to address the jury.
1:45 -- Attorneys search for bias in potential Washington jurors; closed-door questioning continues
Jury selection in the double-murder retrial of Roderick Washington has resumed following a break for lunch.
Lee Circuit judge Thomas Reese and attorneys are questioning potential jurors in a private room behind the courtroom. Also present are a court stenographer, a bailiff, a court reporter and several media reporters.
Reese is asking each juror if they have heard of the case, if they have formed opinions, if they can be impartial and if they are able to sit on a jury for multiple days, likely into next week.
The defense has asked several jurors if they have heard of the ‘Cash Feenz,’ the alleged gang accused in the beating, torture and killing of Alexis and Jeffrey Sosa in 2006.
Several jurors have heard of Washington’s case through news reports.
Two jurors have been excused due to their knowledge of Washington’s recent sentencing of 30 years in prison for two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Another juror, for whom today is the anniversary of his son’s murder, was excused due to his inability to be impartial.
Jury selection continues.
11:30 -- Jury selection continues in Washington double-murder retrial; some admit bias
Potential jurors in the double-murder retrial of Roderick Washington are being questioned by attorneys privately as other perspective jurors chat quietly or read in the courtroom gallery.
Attorneys will select 12 jurors with two alternates, the same number of jurors to try Washington’s first trial in May.
Washington is being tried for the 2006 double-murder of Jeffrey and Alexis Sosa. Washington is among 10 individuals charged in the incident. He was convicted of two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon during the first trial, and was sentenced to 30 years in prison Tuesday as a result of the conviction.
Washington will be retried on two counts each of first-degree murder and kidnaping, charges for which the jury in trial number one could not determine a verdict. He faces a life prison sentence if convicted.
In open court, several potential jurors expressed concern they might be unable to withhold bias against Washington while deliberating his case. A woman who teaches at Challenger Middle School said she was biased against Washington because the Sosas had been students at the school, and she followed the case closely. Another man expressed his grief on the anniversary of his son’s murder, stating he likely could not be impartial.
Assistant State Attorney Bob Lee told presiding Lee Circuit judge Thomas Reese he anticipated the prosecution’s case would last 2 to 3 days. Paul Sullivan, Washington’s defense attorney, stated he was unsure at this stage in the trial about the duration of his defense.
The jurors will likely break for lunch at noon and return to the courtroom at 1 p.m. to resume questioning.
10:30 -- Jury selection begins in Washington double-murder retrial
Fifty-five potential jurors will soon be brought into a Lee County Justice Center courtroom to begin jury selection in the Cash Feenz double-murder retrial of Roderick A. Washington.
Washington is one of 10 co-defendants in the beating, torture and killing of Jeffrey and Alexis Sosa at a 2006 house party by a rap group and alleged gang known as the Cash Feenz.
He is accused of holding a gun on the Sosas as they were tied up and tortured by several others at co-defendant Kemar Johnston’s Cape Coral home.
Washington was found guilty of two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon during his first trial in early May. However, jurors were unable to determine guilt on four other counts, two first-degree murder counts and two counts of kidnaping.
Judge Thomas Reese, who is presiding over Washington’s trial this week, sentenced him Tuesday to served two 15-year prison terms consecutively, for a total of 30 years. Washington must serve the sentence regardless of the outcome of his second trial, which will focus on the remaining four counts.
Several family members from both the Sosa and Washington families are present in the courtroom this morning as Washington and attorneys quietly await the arrival of the jury.
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