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See You Tomorrow

Posted Feb 13, 2007 by Anthony McCartney

Updated Feb 13, 2007 at 06:08 PM

4:22 p.m.

Judge Ric Howard has recessed court for the day.

Proceedings ended with Howard denying a motion by an attorney for the Miami Herald to grant greater access to juror information, especially after the trial. It is unclear whether the court will release juror names after the trial has concluded, which is standard practice.

Howard did make it clear he won’t allow any more information other than juror numbers to be released. He cited one potential juror from last year in Lake County who told the court he was threatened after someone recognized him from a television clip.

The man was sweating and begged to be let off the panel.

Within moments of that man, who was 19, coming forward, Howard reluctantly ended efforts to find a jury in Lake County. The trial then moved down to Miami.

Howard made the ruling moments after deciding that John Couey’s mental capacity had nothing to do with him making incriminating statements to jailers. Those jailers, who testified this morning, will be allowed to testify at the trial.

If you’ve been reading the blog today, you’ll know why that’s important. One jailer, John Read, may be the only person who’s able to testify that Jessica Marie Lunsford was buried alive by Couey. A medical examiner can’t say for sure, and Couey’s statements admitting that have been tossed out because he was denied an attorney when he asked for one.

Tomorrow, jury selection continues. Court comes back in around 9 a.m., and we’ll back a little before then. For a recap of the day’s events, check out News Channel 8’s Samara Sodos’ reports at 5, 6 and 11 p.m.

And for a look ahead at what tomorrow holds and what today’s rulings means for the Couey case, check out my Podcast, which will be available here and on iTunes later tonight.

Have a good evening, and as always, if you’ve got questions, post a comment to the blog.