Interviews Continue for Haun Trial Jurors

A new wave of jury candidates rolled into a Santa Barbara courtroom Monday as Judge Frederick A. Jones continued to search for at least 16 people to serve on the murder trial of Diana Haun.

Last week, Jones told a panel of about 250 prospective jurors--the second such group summoned for the Ventura County trial--that many would be called back this week for additional questioning.

That process began Monday with 72 jury candidates, most of whom were excused for personal or financial hardship.

Twenty were asked to return for individual interviews later this week to determine their views on the death penalty or the alternate punishment of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Haun, 36, is accused of kidnapping and slaying the wife of her longtime lover, Michael Dally. She could face the death penalty if convicted of killing 35-year-old homemaker Sherri Dally on May 6, 1996.

Potential jurors summoned for Haun’s trial offered a variety of excuses Monday explaining why they could not serve, such as upcoming vacations, child-care conflicts and fall college classes.

But the main reason cited was the strict jury-service policy of many employers.

With many companies paying for only five or 10 days of jury service, most people said sitting on a trial that could stretch more than three months would create a severe financial hardship.

“My boss basically screamed loudly and said, ‘Don’t let it happen,’ ” a school district employee told the judge when asked about her employer’s response. “We all basically work overtime as it is.”

Some prospective jurors said their employers would not pay for a single day of jury service. One man said his bosses would cover up to four weeks--but that would still not be enough to compensate for Haun’s trial, he said.

“It would mean I would either be working at night,” he told the judge, “or not getting paid.”

Questioning is expected to continue today.