List of Potential Jurors Cut to 90 for Haun Trial

After interviewing literally hundreds of prospective jurors, the judge and attorneys in the Sherri Dally murder case concluded a critical phase of jury selection on Friday, narrowing the panel to 90 candidates.

Most of those individuals have been asked to return next week for the final stage of jury selection, the so-called voir dire in which they will be questioned as a group.

For the past four weeks, Superior Court Judge Frederick A. Jones and the lawyers in the case have struggled to find enough potential jurors to serve on the trial of Diana J. Haun, charged with the May 1996 kidnap-slaying of Ventura homemaker Sherri Dally.

Jones hopes to seat a jury of at least 16 members--12 regular jurors plus four or more alternates--for what is expected to be a lengthy trial stretching into October.

That, however, has been no easy task.

Since prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Haun, a 36-year-old grocery clerk from Port Hueneme, each prospective juror must be questioned about his or her views on capital punishment.

The process has been emotional and time-consuming.

On Friday, about 16 jury candidates were quizzed on a range of issues, including their attitudes on the death penalty and the alternative punishment of life in prison without possibility of parole.

Other questions, such as the Santa Barbara residents’ exposure to pretrial publicity and attitudes toward infidelity, were prompted by panelists’ written responses to a jury questionnaire.

Four prospective jurors requested that the courtroom be closed to the media Friday to discuss the infidelity issue, and the judge agreed.

The issue was raised because Haun was having a two-year affair with Dally’s husband, Michael, who is also charged with kidnapping, murder and conspiracy in connection with his wife’s slaying.

The pair also face two special circumstance allegations--that the slaying took place after the assailant was lying in wait and was committed for financial gain--making them eligible for the death penalty.

But it was questions pertaining to the death penalty--Could you impose it on this woman if she were found guilty of first-degree murder and at least one special circumstance?--that forced candidates to search their souls for an answer.

“It will probably be the most difficult decision you will be ever asked to make involuntarily,” Jones told one woman, who wept in the jury box.

“I don’t want to make that decision,” she said, wiping tears with her scarf. “I don’t believe I am prepared to do that.”

She was excused. So were two other women who said they did not believe in the death penalty and could never impose such a sentence on anyone.

Of the group called Friday, only about four panelists said they were strongly in favor of the death penalty as a form of punishment.

Haun is accused of abducting and slaying Dally on May 6, 1996. She has pleaded not guilty.

Because of heavy publicity surrounding the case, a jury made up of Santa Barbara County residents is being sought to decide Haun’s guilt or innocence. Once selected, jurors will be transported to the Ventura courthouse each weekday for testimony.