Race May Be Factor in Juror Selection

The issue of race can be raised when selecting jurors in the murder trial of a white man accused of burning a black man alive and beheading him, a judge ruled in Independence. At the beginning of jury selection in Louis Ceparano’s murder trial, Judge Colin Campbell granted a defense request to ask potential panelists whether they believe someone who uses racist slurs would be inclined to commit a crime. Campbell said the questions were proper because a possible racial motivation for the killing will be explored. At preliminary hearings, witnesses have testified that both Ceparano and suspect Emmett Cressell Jr. used racial slurs. Cressell, who has agreed to testify against Ceparano, is free on bond and will be tried later.