17 jury candidates survive 1st round
Just a few weeks after the death of Steve Pill’s wife, Juror 69 said, she had a conversion with him when she processed his Social Security application. She said he was upset he couldn’t see his wife soon after the incident. She said he was angry about the system and felt things didn’t come together quickly enough.
She sympathized with him two years ago. She was dismissed from court Wednesday, as a second group of jurors was questioned for the trial of Brandon Bradley, the man accused of shooting Pill’s wife, a Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy.
After the first group, 13 jury candidates remained. Another 53 people came in Wednesday; 26 were dismissed in the first round of group questions. Twelve people were individually questioned, all but four were dismissed. So in total, the court has 17 candidates.
Assistant State Attorney Jim McMaster said they’re looking for about 50 candidates.
There is a second part of the jury selection process in which those 50 will be questioned further, and ultimately 15 jurors will be chosen from that group.
Bradley watched as the judge, state and defense repeated the same questions about the death penalty and prior knowledge of the case for hours. He wore the same outfit he’s had for three days now: black suit, white shirt, black tie.
Hardships varied among the crowd: emphysema, a trip to Las Vegas, physical therapy, business meetings and side effects brought on by heart medication.
Several jurors were released after individual questioning: No. 56 was opposed to the death penalty. No. 61 thought Bradley was guilty — “He shot and killed a cop. A woman. A grandmother.” No. 71 has a cruise scheduled to the eastern Caribbean.
The last juror questioned Wednesday, No. 78, said he is a small business owner who often makes important decisions. But the death penalty would rise above that.
“It may be the most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make,” he said.