Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team has some things it wants to know about potential jurors as it prepares for the upcoming Alexandria, Virginia trial of Paul Manafort, and it wants to use a written questionnaire to help gather answers.
From the government's motion filed Thursday:
Potential jurors may have biases or pre-formed opinions as a result of exposure of the widespread media attention. In light of these circumstances, the government submits that a jury questionnaire in addition to standard voir dire procedures will assist the Court in assuring that this case is tried before an impartial jury.
The lead Russia investigator filed an eight-page motion on Thursday raising concerns about how both his overall probe into Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and Moscow election meddling, as well as the Manafort case specifically, had generated extensive media coverage — not all of it correct — that could taint the jury pool ...
“The reporting, at times inaccurately, comments on the nature of the evidence collected in the case or activities of the parties,” Andrew Weissmann, one of Mueller’s lead prosecutors, wrote, noting it had found thousands of references to the investigation in its search of newspaper, television and radio coverage.
“Furthermore, the amount of publicity about this case is only likely to grow as the trial date approaches, and such publicity increases the possibility that jurors will form biases or pre-formed opinions that may prejudice one or both parties,” Weissmann added.
The proposed 52-question questionnaire asks, among many other things, about potential jurors' knowledge of the case; if they have any conflicts with regard to issues of bank and tax fraud or political consulting and public relations work; and if they have any ties or connection to Ukraine. It also asks if they have any thoughts about the special counsel.
Mueller himself is the topic of one suggested question to jurors, which asks: “In this case, the United States is represented by the United States Department of Justice through Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller, III. Is there anything regarding the Special Counsel’s Office that would prevent or hinder you in any way from rendering a fair and impartial verdict in this case based solely on the evidence presented and the Court’s instructions on the law?”
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Outside of its court pleadings, Mueller’s team has avoided much of anything in the way of public comment about its overall Russia investigation. In its motion Thursday, however, the team made clear it had been following the extensive media coverage disparaging both Mueller’s office and Manafort.
Mueller worried 'widespread media attention' may have biased jurors (Politico)