PASCO, Wash. (AP) — During two recent Franklin County murder trials, potential jurors were asked whether they believe immigrants are causing problems in America.
The Tri-City Herald says (http://bit.ly/Jkb3gL ) it was the first time the question was posed to a jury pool in Benton-Franklin Superior Court as a way to ensure an unbiased jury could be seated.
Judge Robert Swisher says the system works when potential jurors can be candid and admit they won’t be fair. It also helps shorten the jury selection process by quickly eliminating a number of people based on their answers.
The answers to the jury questionnaires reveal a range of opinions on the hot-button immigration issue.
