To pick the jury for the Aurora, Co., movie theater shooting trial, where testimony begins this month, the judge and attorneys asked jurors about their views on mental illness, the death penalty, the criminal justice system, and reality television, the Denver Post reports. “Do you watch any court or police reality programs?” one question on the written juror survey asked. Others included, “What are your three favorite TV programs?” and “What, if any, bumper or window stickers do you have on your vehicle(s)?”
Judge Carlos Samour Jr. unsealed the questionnaire yesterday, one day after a jury was picked. Including instructions, the survey spans 18 pages and 75 questions. Many questions cover subjects at the heart of the trial of James Holmes. Eight questions ask jurors for their views on the death penalty and whether they had already formed an opinion on what punishment he should receive. Eleven questions ask about views on or experiences with mental illness. Several questions also asked about less weighty matters, including television-viewing habits and hobbies. One question asked jurors what forms of social media they use. Another asked whether they blog.