Hossencofft: Jury Selection Underway in Henning Trial

Jury Selection Underway In Henning Trial

September 24, 2002

Prosecutors enter a jury room where the process of "voir dire" marks the beginning of the trial process.

Voir Dire: (fr.) to see to speak; in law, it is that portion of the trial where the potential jurors are asked questions by the attorneys or the court to determine their qualifications and suitability to sit as jurors in the particular case

Defendant Linda Henning (black hair),
attorneys, judge and court staff settle into
begin voix dire.

Attorney Gary Mitchell and his client Linda Henning.

The Honorable John Brennan (left) and prosecutors Paul Spiers (center) and Jack Burkhead.

A small fraction of the paperwork in the Henning case appears before the defendant and her attorney.

(Albuquerque) The task of selecting a jury in the murder trial of Linda Henning began in New Mexico's Second Judicial District Court Monday.

Prior to bringing in prospective jurors for questioning, members of the media were allowed inside the room for a photo opportunity.

Judge John Brennan says he'd like to see a jury selected by the end of Wednesday so that opening arguments may begin on Thursday. However, that would be quite an accomplishment in itself. Many potential jurors are often quickly excluded in death penalty cases because of their philosophical opposition to capital punishment. Others may be excluded if the defense believes they cannot be impartial due to the large amount publicity generated by the local media.

Prosecutors say Henning helped murder her boyfriend's estranged wife in 1999. Girly Chew Hossencofft's bloodied clothing was found in a tarp along Highway 60 west of Magdalena on September 10, 1999. Ms. Hosencofft disappeared the previous day. Her body has never been found.

(for more information on this trial, please refer to the link "9/23/02 LH Trial begins..." in the archive section at left. All other links are also directly related to the Girly Chew Hossencofft Investigation.)

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