BATAVIA, NY -- A day and a half into the jury selection process for the Scott Doll murder trial, and only three jurors have been seated.
District Attorney Lawrence Friedman noted that at the current rate, it would take four days and eight panels of potential jurors just to get to 12 men and women to decide the case. That doesn't include the four- to six-alternate jurors needed for the anticipated three-week trial.
The prosecution has used 12 of its 20 peremptory challenges, and the defense 14 of 20.
While either side can request more peremptory challenges, it will be up to Judge Robert C. Noonan whether to grant such an extension.
Once the peremptory challenges are gone, the prosecution and defense will be left to accept any juror that can't be dismissed for cause.
A prospective juror dismissed for cause is somebody who has a clear conflict of interest and probably can't judge the case impartially. A peremptory challenge is one in which the prosecution or defense deems a particular juror just isn't suitable for the case, for any reason.
"It's a combination of everything, what they know, what you hear -- it's just a gut reaction in the end," Friedman said, adding that "Both sides are being very careful about who goes on this jury."
Doll, a Corfu resident, is accused of murdering Joseph Benaquist of Pembroke in February, 2009. Doll and Benaquist were apparently in business together selling used cars.
