Judge Describes Haun Trial as an ‘Adventure’

Standing before a hushed crowd of Santa Barbara County residents, Superior Court Judge Frederick A. Jones tried Monday to persuade about 250 prospective jurors that serving on the marathon murder trial of Diana Haun would be an adventure, not a burden.

“I hope there are many of you who will have that sense of adventure and not be put off by the travel,” Jones said during an upbeat speech aimed at encouraging participation.

The judge addressed two groups of panelists, 100 in the morning and about 150 in the afternoon, summoned specifically for jury selection in the high-profile Ventura County case.

In each session, Jones briefly summarized the facts surrounding the May 1996 slaying of Sherri Renee Dally and the charges against Haun, who is accused of stabbing and bludgeoning the 35-year-old day-care center operator to death.

As Haun sat nearby, dressed in a conservative gray suit and sporting a shoulder-length hairstyle, Jones told the panelists that prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, and that at some point they may be asked to sentence Haun to death or life in prison.

“Ordinarily,” the judge explained, “this case would be tried to a jury in Ventura County.”

But an unprecedented level of pretrial publicity has prevented Haun from getting a fair trial in her own community, and forced an outside jury to decide her fate, the judge said.

As a result, 18 jurors from Santa Barbara County--12 regular jurors plus six alternates--will be bused to the Ventura County courthouse every day for what is expected to be a lengthy trial, Jones said.

“We all know that this is going to be an inconvenience for you,” Jones said, warning the group that testimony from at least 200 witnesses could take 60 court days.

“If you are a juror on this case,” Jones continued over gasps and whispers, “you will be with us, in my estimation, through the month of October.”

After they quieted, the judge smiled. “That wasn’t as bad as I thought,” he said.

Although the specifics have not been worked out, Jones said jurors probably will be picked up each morning at two prearranged locations in the Santa Barbara area.

Ventura County officials have leased a Santa Barbara Airport bus to shuttle the jurors back and forth, he explained.

“What I propose for you is to make that travel as easy as possible,” Jones said during the afternoon session.

Each presentation by Jones lasted about an hour. Wearing a dark blue suit and a brightly colored necktie, the judge appeared without his black robe and spoke in a friendly and encouraging tone.

He stood at a podium in the meeting room of the Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors, flanked by two prosecutors, Haun, her defense attorney and various court staff members.

Jones explained that jury selection is expected to take about 2 1/2 weeks.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the prospective panelists will be asked to appear at the Santa Barbara courthouse as the judge and attorneys decide who should be excused for financial and personal hardships.

Next week, potential jurors will be individually questioned about their views on the death penalty and their ability to serve on this case.

Before excusing them Monday, Jones instructed panelists to avoid coverage of the case in newspapers, radio and television. He ordered them not to discuss the trial with anyone.

Each panelist was given a questionnaire as well. The first part explains the duties and obligations of jurors, and inquires about hardships that could prevent service on the Haun jury.

The second part probes panelists’ views on the death penalty, infidelity, law enforcement and prior jury service.

Among the questions posed: “Have you ever experienced any of the following in a relationship with a significant other: physical abuse, emotional abuse, infidelity, neglect?”

Responses to such questions may be important because Haun’s lover, Michael Dally, is also charged with murder, kidnapping and conspiracy in connection with his wife’s slaying.

Another question addresses potential gender bias:

It asks: “Do you believe that under no circumstances could you vote for the death penalty on a woman?”

In addition to such abstract queries, the questionnaire asks prospective jurors to provide detailed personal information about their job responsibilities, level of education, marital status and hobbies.

Totaling 29 pages, it further asks panelists to review the names of 304 witnesses, not all of whom are expected to testify. Jurors who know any of those people were asked to point out any potential conflicts.

Legal experts say jury questionnaires can be vital tools in weeding out panelists whose biases might affect the outcome of a trial.

Attorneys plan to pore over responses to the questionnaires today before returning to court later this week.