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Felton Dorsey

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    DUPLICATE .TRANSCRIPT>

    DUPLICATEA No. 10 K A 216'SUPREME COURTOFTHE STATE OFLOUISIANA

    Volume N&LU D F X WFiled

    API?ELLEEPlaintiff and

    VERSUS

    F E L T O N DEJUAN D O R S E YI

    SUPREMECOURTOF LOUISIANAFiled

    APPELLANT JAN 2 6 2010Defendant and

    . .

    UClerkAPPEAL FROMTheF' ST

    Judicial District Court for theCADDOPariah of

    HON . J O H N MOSELY , J R .- ~ d 5 1 , 4 0 6 # \\ Judgo

    ML

    BRADY 0 ' CALLAGHANJ . D H U THOMPSONASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS

    CADDO PARISH CDUKFHOUSESTATE-APPELLEE

    Counrel forSHREVEPORT LA 71101

    CAPTTAT APPEAT,S PR0.TEC.T nEFENDANT-APPELLANT63 6 BARONNE STREET, FLOOR 3

    Counrel for

    NEW ORLEANS LA 70113-1004

    lurnl.hd wlth h t h ' a TrurmrlptCOV~N

    UHl H .I 4zz-u

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    C A S E NUlvlEEK : 2 5 14 06 ( C O N T ' 0 )

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    CASE NUMBER: 2 5 I 4 0 ( (30N'I" D!

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    '7 l- 'C.'AS : 11LJMBE ? : L. .I I. 4 0 ; [ cc)\J1:' 13 )

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    . -.

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    IN T.HE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURTIN AND FOR PARISH OF C A D D O

    SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA

    STATE OF LOUISIANA

    VERSUS

    F E L T O N D E J U A N D O R S E Y :CASE NO.: 251406'

    TRANSCRIPT OF THE PROCEEDINGS HAD

    in the trial of the above-styled and numbered

    c a u s e b e f o r e HIS HONOR JOHN D. MOSELY, JR. ,

    Judge o f the First Judicial District Court, in

    and for Caddo Parish, at Shreveport,

    Louisiana, on the 14th day of May, 2 0 0 9 , A.D.

    APPEARANCES:

    M R . CHARLES R. SCOTTCaddo Parish District Attorney

    M R . BRADY O'CALLAGHANM R . J. DHU THOMPSONAssistant District Attorneys

    lr

    M R . DAVID R. MCCLATCHEYM R . GLEN GARRETM S. MICHELLE A. ANDREPONTAssistant Indigent Defenders

    Reported by:. V i c k i D. BeggsOfficial Court Reporter CSR

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    I N D E X- - - - -

    i Examination b y the Defense. . . . 1 5 81 Defense challenges for cause. . - 1 6 3

    VOIR DIRE EXAMINATION:

    i Examination b y the Defense. . . . 1 5 81 Defense challenges for cause. . - 1 6 3

    Mark Na.tale

    I

    i

    I

    Ii

    Cheryl D. Thornton

    I

    i

    I

    III

    PAGE :

    I

    J o a n n S . Stewart

    Irma L. Edwards

    Ronald T. Olague

    Danny Walker

    Monica M. Hicks

    Carlita R. DixonCharles Walters, Jr.

    Sharon Snelling

    Marvin Jefferson

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    VOIR DIRE EXAMINATION:

    Nicholas Burks

    D e l o r i s HarrisTheresa Williams

    Randolph Dozier

    R e a t h e r BarnesTeresa Yeates

    K r i s S t . PierreAngela Johnson

    Cynthia Andrews

    Thomas Dewett

    Jeffrey Smith

    Cheryl Mouser

    Lashunda Knowles

    Eddie Dennis

    R i c o JonesCarl Staples

    Malcolm Brown

    Examination by the State. . . . . 2 7 6Examination b y the Defense. . . - 3 1 6State challenges for cause. . . . 3 2 1State challenges for cause. . . . 3 3 3Defense challenges for cause. . - 3 3 3State challenges for cause. . . . 3 3 4Defense challenges for cause. . . 3 3 5State challenges for cause. . . . 3 3 9

    33 5719

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    Klrue7

    Klrue7

    M O R N I N G S E S S I O N

    May 1 4 , 2009W H E R E U P O N . . .

    t h e f o l l o w i n g p r o c e e d i n g s were h a d :

    (Whereupon t h e d e f e n d a n t was p r e s e n t w i t h

    c o u n s e l . 1

    M O R N I N G S E S S I O N

    May 1 4 , 2009W H E R E U P O N . . .

    t h e f o l l o w i n g p r o c e e d i n g s were h a d :

    (Whereupon t h e d e f e n d a n t was p r e s e n t w i t h

    c o u n s e l . 1M R . O ' C A L L A G H A N : F o r t h e r e c o r d , t h i sR . O ' C A L L A G H A N : F o r t h e r e c o r d , t h i s

    i s S t a t e of L o u i s i a n a v s . F e l t o n D o r se y . Thei s S t a t e of L o u i s i a n a v s . F e l t o n D o r se y . The

    d e f e n d a n t i s p r e s e n t ; on h i s b e h a l f a r ed e f e n d a n t i s p r e s e n t ; on h i s b e h a l f a r e

    M r . G l e n G a r r e t a n d Ms. Michelle AndrePontM r . G l e n G a r r e t a n d Ms. Michelle AndrePont

    f ro m t h e , p u b l i c d e f e n d e r ' s o f f i c e . T h e r e a r ef ro m t h e , p u b l i c d e f e n d e r ' s o f f i c e . T h e r e a r e

    no p r o s p e c t i v e j u r o r s p r e s e n t . P r e s e n t f o r t h eno p r o s p e c t i v e j u r o r s p r e s e n t . P r e s e n t f o r t h e

    S t a t e a r e B ra dy O ' C a l l a g h a n , Dhu Thompson andDistric t Attorney Charles Scott,.

    M R . G A R R E T : G l e n G a r r e t f o r t h e

    S t a t e a r e B ra dy O ' C a l l a g h a n , Dhu Thompson andDistric t Attorney Charles Scott,.

    M R . G A R R E T : G l e n G a r r e t f o r t h ed e f e n s e , a nd M r . G o l d e n a n d M r . M c C l a t c h e y ,

    I ' m s u r e , a r e on t h e i r way.

    ( Wher eupon a d i s c u s s i o n o f f t h e r e c o r d was

    d e f e n s e , a nd M r . G o l d e n a n d M r . M c C l a t c h e y ,

    I ' m s u r e , a r e on t h e i r way.

    ( Wher eupon a d i s c u s s i o n o f f t h e r e c o r d was

    h e l d . ) Ih e l d . ) I

    M R . O ' C A L L A G H A N : Your H on o r, I ' v ei d e n t i f i e d on e a c h of t h e s e t s o f p h o t o g r a p h s ,

    M R . O ' C A L L A G H A N : Your H on o r, I ' v ei d e n t i f i e d on e a c h of t h e s e t s o f p h o t o g r a p h s ,

    I h a ve w r i t t e n a s m a l l h a n d w r i t t e n n umber onI h a ve w r i t t e n a s m a l l h a n d w r i t t e n n umber on

    t h e b ac k of e a c h f o r r e f e r e n c e p u r p o s e s , s ot h e b ac k of e a c h f o r r e f e r e n c e p u r p o s e s , s o

    t h e y c a n a l l l i t e r a l l y be on t h e s a m e p a g et h e y c a n a l l l i t e r a l l y be on t h e s a m e p a g e

    w h e n d i s c u s s i n g t h e c o n t e n t s o f t h o s ew h e n d i s c u s s i n g t h e c o n t e n t s o f t h o s e

    p h o t o g r a p h s .

    I would a l s o n o t e t h a t t h i s m o r n i n g t h e

    p h o t o g r a p h s .

    I would a l s o n o t e t h a t t h i s m o r n i n g t h e

    S t a t e p r o v i d e d d e f e n s e c o u n s e l w i t h a C DS t a t e p r o v i d e d d e f e n s e c o u n s e l w i t h a C D

    c o n t a i n i n g a u t o p sy p ho t o s r e c e i v e d f rom

    D r . . P e r e t t i j u s t t o be c l e a r f o r t h e r e c o r d .c o n t a i n i n g a u t o p sy p ho t o s r e c e i v e d f rom

    D r . . P e r e t t i j u s t t o be c l e a r f o r t h e r e c o r d .

    O r i g i n a l l y , t h e S t a t e h a d a u to p s y . p h o t o s t h a tO r i g i n a l l y , t h e S t a t e h a d a u to p s y . p h o t o s t h a t

    i t t e n d e r e d t o d e f e n s e , t h e y were a c t u a l l yi t t e n d e r e d t o d e f e n s e , t h e y were a c t u a l l y

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    t a k e n b y D ep u t y J e f f Thoma s who a c c o m p a n i e d

    M r . P r o c k ' s bo dy t o A r k a n s a s a n d p h o t o g r a p h e di t t h e r e . The S t a t e o n l y i n t e n d s t o u s e two

    o f D r . P e r e t t i ' s a c t u a l p h o t o g ra p h s s i n c e a l lt h e o t h e r s a r e e s s e n t i a l l y d u p l i c a t i v e w i t h

    t h e o n e s t h a t D ep ut y Thomas t o o k . T h a t C D a l s o

    c o n t a i n s a d d i t i o n a l s t i l l f r a me s c a p t u r e d f rom

    v i d e o p r e v i o u s l y t e n d e r e d t o d e f e n s e c o u n s e l

    f rom a surveillance camera, I can't think of

    t h e a d d r e s s - - t h e 9 0 0 0 b l o c k o f

    Gr ee nw oo d S p r i n g r i d g e Road a n d a n o t h e r p h o t o

    o f t h e v i c t i m b e f o r e t h i s i n c i d e n t t o be u s e d

    f o r identification p u r p o s e s .

    ' M R . G A R R E T : Your H o no r , d e f e n s ea ck no wl ed ge s r e c e i p t o f t h e C D f r o m

    M r . O ' C a l l a g h a n .T H E C O U R T : A l l r i g h t .

    M R . G A R R E T : Even though M r . G o l d e n a n dM r . M c C l a t c h e y h a ve n o t a r r i v e d , w e a r ep r e p a r e d t o go f o r w a r d w i t h t h e m o t i o n i f

    t h a t ' s t h e C o u r t p l e a s u r e .

    T H E C O U R T : We w i l l w a i t .

    M R . G A R R E T : Okay. Thank you .( Wher eupon a d i s c u s s i o n o f f t h e r e c o r d was ~

    h e l d . )

    M R . G A R R E T : We a r e n o t s u r e t h a tM r . Go l de n i n t e n d s t o a t t e n d . S o g o i n g Iw i t h o u t h i m m ig ht b e t h e p r o p e r c o u r s e t o

    t a k e .

    T H E C O U R T : Okay . Are you re a d y to

    a r g u e n o w ?

    M R . G A R R E T : Yes, Y o u r H o n o r .

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    THE COURT: Do you wish to proceed

    without Mr. Golden?

    M R . GARRET: I wish to proceed withoutMr. Golden.

    THE C O U R T : All right. You may.

    MR. GARRET: May it please the Courtand counsel, this hearing concerns a'm ot io n

    filed by the defense to exclude certain color

    photographs of the scene and o f the victim andthe State has filed an opposition. We cited

    in our motion fourteen Louisiana Supreme Court

    cases and Article 403 of the Code of Evidence

    as wel l -as several other cases. I would

    normally s a y we filed fourteen supreme court

    cases in support of our positions, but

    actually, we filed some cases where the photos

    were admitted, some where they were excluded

    and some where the Court permitted a

    low-contrast black and white substitution.

    The different outcomes of these cases

    are based on different facts. While the facts

    differ, the law does not differ. It's

    consistent and it applies the balancing test

    of Code of Evidence, Article 4 0 3 of the

    probative value versus prejudicial effect. 'We believe in this case the facts at

    issue can be shown through testimony by the

    coroner, by the police officers, and there is

    no probative value to these photographs and,

    of course, if there's no probative value, the

    prejudicial effect would outweigh. We also

    have stated we are prepared to enter into a

    6 5 7 2 9

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    necessary or material evidence in a criminal

    prosecution, it should be excluded. I'm

    sorry. That was S t a t e v. M o r g a n .

    In S t a t e v. Mor r i s which we cited,

    1 5 7 S o . 2 d . 7 2 8 , t h e C o u r t said t h a t t h e t e s t

    of admissibility is whether unpleasant,

    gruesome or horrifying photographs as well as

    the probative value of the photographs

    outweighs the probable prejudicial effect.

    Accordingly, photographs should be excluded

    where their logical relevancy will

    unquestionably be overwhelmed by the

    inherently prejudicial nature of the

    particular picture. And photographs which are

    calculated to arouse the sympathies or

    prej,udices of a jury are properly excluded ifthey are entirely irrelevant or not

    substantially necessary to show material facts

    or conditions.

    And in this instance, as we do not

    believe there is any issue concerning the

    facts and as we are willing to enter a

    stipulation, we do not believe that they are

    substantially necessary.

    1

    In State v. Lindsay, 404 S o . 2 d . 466, itsaid that the nature of photographs so

    gruesome as to overwhelm reason and cause a

    jury to lose sight of the need for a

    prosecutor to establish with sufficient

    independent evidence the guilt of the accused,

    they must be relevant to describe the person,

    place or thing. A stipulation to the matter

    I

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    ~~

    sought to be proved by the p h o t o g r a p h s

    necessarily bears upon a balancing of the

    probative value of the photographs and their

    prejudicial effect.

    Now, some language in this case and in

    a n o t h e r c a s e , i t t a l k s a b o u t t h e l e g i t i m a t e

    moral force of the State's case. We don't

    take issue with the concept that the State is

    entitled to a legitimate moral force of its

    case. We want to be able to maintain a

    legitimate moral f o r c e o f o u r c a s e a s w e l l .

    The Court does not define "moral force." It

    does not describe it. It does not give any

    parameters. It does not state what it is. I

    d o n ' t k n o w t h a t it's c l e a r w h e t h e r moral force

    applies to the penalty phase or the guilt

    phase; however, one thing that is clear i sthat moral force does not say moral

    ascendancy.

    The defendant has a presumption of

    innocence, the State has the burden of proof,

    and I do not believe that we should relax the

    rules of evidence for the State and the State

    alone, so that it could assume any moral

    superiority with the jury with regard to

    witnesses or evidence or argument. So

    whatever moral force means, we are for it, and

    we want the same thing.

    In S t a t e v. Wa t s o n , 449 So. 2d. 1321,

    it says postmortem photographs of ,a murder

    victim are admissible to prove corpus delicti,

    to corroborate other evidence establishing the

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    cause of death and to provide positive

    identification. I do not believe those

    photographs will be necessary to prove any of

    t h o s e i t e m s , Your Honor. It also says that an

    offered stipulation bears upon the balancing

    test.

    I'm almost done with cases.

    S t a t e v . M y l e s , 389 S o . 2d. 12, the picture tow h i c h t h e d e f e n d a n t o b j e c t s i s a low contrast

    black and white made at the morgue showing

    only the victim's head and a probe inserted in

    the two gunshot wounds. The Court also refused

    to admit a color photograph of the same scene.

    S o in this case, th e Court permitted low

    contrast black and white as being less

    prejudicial and did n o t . a l l o w the State to putin color photographs.

    Now, one case in which the Court

    admitted evidence is S t a t e v . K i r k p a t r i c k ,

    443 S o . 2d. 546. The four color photographs

    in that case depicted the murder scene as it

    was found. And that is not the case wit.h thephotographs we have at issue.

    We hlave at issue photographs after thebody was moved. We have photographs after the

    coroner altered it. We have photographs that

    are just gruesome.

    J

    I have two more I want to bring to the

    Court's attention, S t a t e v . P r e j e a n ,

    379 So. 2d.' 240. The defendant contends,however, that in light of the stipulation he

    offered as to the circumstances of the case,

    10 5 7 2 6

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    ._&>.'i

    the pictures had no probative value

    whatsoever. That is the situation we are

    requesting. Obviously, we cannot solely enter

    into a stipulation. The State would have to

    agree. It is our desire to do so.

    T h e p r o po s i t i o n t h a t w h e r e t h e

    defendant stipulated to excluding all the

    photographs - - I'm sorry - - the defense

    stipulated to all the facts to which allegedly

    gruesome photographs would be relevant, the

    Trial Court would act properly in excluding

    the photographs from evidence.

    I

    I

    IAnd the last one I want to cite is

    where they were admitted. This is

    4 5 7 So. 2 d . 6 1 6 - - a n d a l l of these a r e i n ourmotion - - the Court said it was error to allow

    introduction of photographs of the victim's

    mutilated body. This evidence was relevant - -

    I'm sorry. It was not error to allow

    introduction of photographs of the victim's

    mutilated body. This evidence was relevant to

    whether the murder was committed in an

    especially cruel, heinous and atrocious manner

    which is not at issue in this case. And its

    probative value for this purpose outweighs its

    prejudicial effect. And again those facts are

    not operative in this case.

    I

    And so, Your Honor, the judges and the

    trial courts involved have come to different

    conclusions based on the facts of the case. I Ithink the facts are very consistent and the

    findings are very consistent that unless the I

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    of force used on his head was inconsistent

    with an accidental blow. The number of

    strikes to his head is inconsistent with an

    accidental killing. And the defense can't

    stipulate to specific intent if t h e y are

    disputing identity. They can't say, well, it

    wasn't our guy, but whoever it was intended to

    kill. I f they were going to stipulate to

    identity and intent, perhaps we're - - at that

    p o i n t , w e a r e a t a g u i l t y p l e a , w e m i g h t a s

    well do that. What the defense seeks to do is

    essentially strip the prosecution's case of

    detail. It attempts to strip it o f its moral

    force and replace that instead with dry

    testimony that could be extremely confusing to

    the jury.

    We are talking about the coroner

    explaining the subgaleal hemorrhages and

    testifying about skull beveling. These are not

    things that without visual corroboration a

    typical juror is likely to understand.

    As I go through the photographs, what I

    would like to do, if the Court could follow

    along, is direct the Court's attention to what

    the State needs each picture for. We have

    carefully whittled down from dozens of w h a t I

    would call explicit photographs down to the

    ones we presented to Your Honor. I would like

    proceed through them and explain to the Court

    why we need each of them.

    I am going through numerical order. We

    have numbered these now, and I would assume a I

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    copy will be placed in the record, they are

    handmarked on the back with the numbers to

    which I am referring. The photograph number

    one was taken of the victim Joe Prock after

    the crime scene had already been processed.

    His hands are bagged. This photograph is

    essential because it was taken by Fire Marshal

    Jim Alexander. Now, Fire Marshal

    Jim Alexander does an analysis of the house

    and does a reconstruction of the points of

    origin of the fire, and one of the factors

    that he had to examine in determining where

    the different fires were, was the fire that

    w a s p l a c e d on J o e P r o c k ' s body made a t the

    same location where Ms. Prock said it was, in

    the rear family room, and was that an

    independent source of ignition. That is

    relevant because aggravated arson is an

    element of the charge in this case. So we

    should be permitted to present that evidence

    to corroborate and support Mr. Alexander's

    testimony, and his observations of Joe's body

    that night was part of his determination.

    I would also note that the notion that

    black and white photographs could be

    substituted, I understand that in some cases

    where they could be the case, the problem is,

    Mr. Prock is horribly burned and the

    differential in skin color from that burning

    is necessary for the witnesses to be able to

    opine about what their observation of the

    body told them. And to suggest that

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    This shows what the firemen did with

    the Joe's body. This shows where they had tomove him and the steps they took to preserve

    the integrity of his condition and shield him

    from the view of others. It also depicts, of

    cours,e, the binding on his ankles which isrelevant to the element of kidnapping which is

    also a predicate felony for first degree

    murder.

    As to State's Exhibit 3, Y o u r ' H o n o r ,this is a photograph showing J o e ' s condition

    as observed by the crime scene personnel.

    What we are talking about here is crime scene

    personnel who were trying to reconstruct and

    determine the sequence of events. Now, they

    have an account from Ms. Bobbie P r o c k , but sheis extremely distraught. She's in the

    emergency room being treated for burns and

    smoke inhalation. It's relevant to their

    investigation to show what Joe's condition was

    at the time and the condition in which they

    identified' him and the extent of the burn s.

    around his clothing.

    As to State's Exhibit 4, this shows the

    fact that Joe's body was still producing

    blood. You know, one of the issues is the

    manner and cause of death, and while the

    defense claims they want to stipulate, again,

    the problem is, we have to talk about the

    mechanism of death. We have to talk about

    what that me'ans about what w e a p o n . w a s used.So since a mere stipulation to cause is

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    somewhat meaningless and empty in this case,

    I we need to be able to talk about the fullcircumstances of Joe's condition. This

    photograph shows that his body was still

    producing blood while on the scene. It shows

    the burn and it does allow for the witnesses

    who were able to identify Joe before turning

    him over to testify as to what they saw in

    making that identification.

    As to photograph five, this is a

    photograph from a scene that is not extremely

    close-up. While discoloration is visible on

    Joe, I think it's arguable that it's explicit.

    What it does show is that he was bound and

    placed outside of the house b y the firemen.

    They will be here to elaborate on exactly to

    what extent they turned Joe. In fact, defense

    counsel's argument sort of turns on itself

    because they had to move Joe, looking at his

    body on the scene was important in knowing how

    he was positioned inside the house. If you

    don't look at where burns were, you can't tell

    which side he was lying on and all of those

    things, so by examining where the burns are,

    they were able to reach conclusions about how

    he was positioned when he was beaten and

    burned. I believe that that photograph is

    admissible and relevant for that purpose.

    As to photograph six, again, this is

    clearly not an explicit photograph. It

    permits a degree of detail to identify the

    Christmassy nature of the tape that was used

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    to bind Joe's ankles and is in no way

    prejudicial.

    Photograph seven is a clear

    identificat,ion on-the-scene photograph. It'swhen they have turned Joe to the side to allow

    everyone to view his face and confirm that

    that is in fact who they were dealing with,

    the extent, nature and positioning of his

    injuries on the scene prior to any, as the

    defense alleges, alternation by the coroner.

    As to State Exhibit 8 , this is aclose-up photograph depicting the extent of

    the injuries to Joe's wrists and the fact that

    t h e y were v e r y t i g h t l y b o u n d . I b e l i e v e t h a t

    clearly since kidnapping is an element and a

    predicate felony for first degree murder that

    the fact that the victim was bound with his

    hands behind his back by telephone cord is

    immensely relevant and appropriate for the

    , determination as well as its consequences for

    arson and the other elements of the offense.

    THE COURT: I'm sorry. One question.

    This is the hand, correct?

    MR. O'CALLAGHAN: Yes, sir. Those arehis hands. It is a close-up photograph of his

    hands bound behind his back with the telephone

    cord.

    THE COURT: All right. Thank you.

    MR. O'CALLAGHAN: State's Exhibit 9,this is where we are getting into what the

    defense alleges about the alterations to the

    body. NOW, clearly, the coroner did have to

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    where the scalp has been peeled back. Again,

    this is where the coroner has done exploratoryL

    procedures to see the depth and extent of the

    injuries, and it shows two very essential

    things. One is it does show the d e p t h . a n ds e v e r i t y of one o f t h e i n j u r i e s t o Mr. P r o c k ' shead. It also shows on the part of the scalp

    that many of the other wounds that did not

    actually penetrate the skull did completely

    penetrate the scalp. I believe - - I'm not a

    doctor - - but I believe those are the

    subgaleal hemorrhages that he talks about in

    his coroner's report. Again, I d o n ' t know whata subgaleal hemorrhage is until Dr. Peretti

    e x p l a i n s i t , showing me t h i s p i c t u r e , and I'm

    a lawyer who has prosecuted dozens of homicide

    cases. To ask the jury to just get it from

    'I subgaleal hemorrhage, I I think is prejudicial

    ' to the ability of the State to present its

    case and meet its burden of proof.

    Photograph 11 is a similar photograph

    again showing the injuries through the scalp

    and a different point of impact on Joe's

    skull, showing again penetration o f the skull.

    State's Exhibit 12 is a photograph

    prior to the removal of the scalp, and this is

    an essential photograph as well because what

    is of great importance is the shape, depth and

    nature of the wounds to Mr. P r o c k ' s scalp. Oneof the elements that the State will intend to

    prove is identity. And again, I doubt the

    defense is willing to stipulate to identity

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    0I'\ ''1 5since, you know, that would pretty much be a

    guilty plea. A gun was recovered where

    Mr. Dorsey lived, and we have witnesses that

    are going to place that gun in his hand. The

    bottom of that gun s h a p e is e n t i r e l yconsistent with some of the i n j u r i e s . i n f l i c t e d

    Ito Mr. Prock's scalp. The State should beentitled to show the shape of those injuries

    and their depth and then show that Mr. Dorsey

    had a gun perfectly consistent with inflicting

    exactly those types of injuries. That goes

    directly to identity, and it again goes to

    intent to kill and being armed with a

    dangerous weapon which is an element for the

    aggravated kidnapping alleged b y the State.

    The next photograph No. 13 shows again

    in even greater detail, but from a different

    angle, the injures to Mr. P r o c k ' s scalp,showing the shape, nature and depth of those

    injuries.

    State's Exhibit 14 is additional

    injuries to Mr. Prock but completely different

    ones from the previous two photographs. You

    know, it's not the State's fault that nine

    blows of nearly killing force were inflicted

    to Mr. Prock's head, but the jury, I think, isentitled to know just how badly he was beaten

    so there's no issues as to the intent of the

    offenders.

    Again, Dr. Peretti should be allowed to

    talk about the types of instruments that could

    cause these types of wounds and be allowed to

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    Dr. Peretti to opine about the duration of

    which - - of the burns to Mr. Prock; in other

    words, how long was he burning before the fire

    was put out. It allows him to make certain

    observations a b o u t t h e t i s s u e u n d e r n e a t h t h e

    burn as to whether or not Mr. Prock was alive

    at the time he was set on fire which he was.

    It allows him to reach several conclusions

    about Mr. P r o c k ' s condition, and it does alsoidentify Mr. P r o c k a s the person upon whom all

    the other autopsy photos were being performed.

    So I mean, ,we have got sixteen

    photographs here, two of them are clearly not

    even within the bounds of 'gr uesome or

    explicit, and the others each show some

    independent fact or corroborates some

    independent fact beyond mere cause of death.

    And what all the cases that Mr. Garret

    cites talk about is in fact the balancing

    test. And it would be prejudicial t o the State

    if we were forced to have a cold stipulation

    as to cause of death but not talk about how

    those causes were consistent with the weapon

    Mr. Dorsey had, how those causes were

    consistent with an intent to kill, how those

    causes were consistent with kidnapping a

    person, how those causes were consistent with

    the aggravated arson of Ms. Bobbie Prock's

    home.

    It also does have some relevance as to

    corroborate the nature and extent of

    Ms. Bobbie Prock's situation. She's going'to

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    come in here and testify after having been

    through this, and her state of mind at the

    time is something that is fair game for both

    sides to talk about. I think that the jurors

    should be entitled to know what she was

    looking at when her state of mind was formed.

    You know, her ability to recall facts and her

    ability to assess details may be slightly

    impaired by the fact that she saw her son in

    this condition. We're not offering it to

    prejudice the jury, but I think we're entitled

    to do anything we can within the bounds of

    evidence to show why a witness might not have

    had every cool reflection in their observation

    of the crime that was being perpetrated on

    them.

    So I believe that the purposes and the

    probative value of these photographs is way

    beyond merely cause of death. I believe that

    if the defense were to offer to stipulate to

    any of the other facts that we get into

    dangerous areas where you're now stripping the

    State of its case. You know, the defense is

    not allowed - - and it's clear from cases that

    both the defense and the State cite - - is not

    allowed to simply stipulate away the State's

    case and leave us to come in with one piece of

    evidence and say, well, yeah, all that stuff,

    we all agree, but, you know, it was him. So

    since they are not stipulating to identity,

    since the; can't logically stipulate tointent, we s h o u l d t b e allowed to present all

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    ITHE COURT: You may.MR. GARRET: Thank you.Mr. O'Callaghan has addressed w h a t he believes

    I

    Dr. Peretti can and can't do, and he is a I

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    evidence of the predicate felonies and the

    designate. Dr. Peretti is an expert in

    describing wounds to a jury. He has not

    indicated anytime to us that he'nee ded

    photographs to do that, and he appears to be

    quite able to carry on that part of the proof.

    I a l s o think that we are conf usi ng -the

    guilt phase with the penalty phase. The guilt

    phase does not involve mitigating and

    aggravating factors. The State either proves

    its case beyond a reasonable doubt or it

    doesn't. Extent, depth, et cetera, those may

    be relevant to the penalty phase, but I mean,

    we are not going to contest that the victim is

    deceased.

    Now, Mr. O'Callaghan has tried todismiss the possibility of a stipulation. He

    said a couple of things. He says that there

    are things that we won't stipulate to. Well,

    we're probably the best source of what we will

    stipulate to. He has said a stipulation would

    strip away the State's case and only permit

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    them with one item of proof. I suspect they

    wouldn't sign such a stipulation, so I don't

    think that's really a danger.

    In terms of how the fire occurred, the

    police know how the fire occurred. It's in

    their police reports. There is no lack of

    evidence there. We are looking for a

    substantial necessity because of a failure of

    evidence, and that's not here.

    The State has said we can't stipulate

    to specific intent. Specific intent is not a

    fact to stipulate. Specific intent is a

    conclusion that the jury reaches or not based

    on the evidence. And whether or not there are

    i n t e r n a l i n j u r i e s , a g a i n , p e r h a p s f o r t h e

    penalty phase a s to whether the victim

    suffered or not', how badly the victim was

    beaten, again, we're not contesting he's still

    alive. This would merely be something more for

    the penalty phase.

    Deep and profound fractures, I think is

    probably more relevant to the penalty phase.

    The depth and nature of the injuries, we think

    Dr. Peretti is well able, well experienced, I

    see no evidence that he is unable to express

    himself in a way that jurors can understand so

    that his testimony would be meaningless.

    The bottom line here is, this evidence

    is not essential. It does not have a

    substantial necessity to be entered. It is, in

    fact, incredibly prejudicial. Incredibly

    gruesome photographs. And all of the reasons

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    We think everything that the State wants to

    show that Mr. O ' C a l l a g h a n just said they wantto show can be shown, and that obviates the

    substantial necessity, and t h a t means all we

    are left with is photographs that I think we

    would ask for their exclusion.

    M R . O'CALLAGHAN: May I respond t o j u s ta few o f t h o s e t h i n g s .

    THE COURT: You may.

    MR. O'CALLAGHAN: First of all, I don'tknow i f Mr. G a r r e t h a s t a l k e d t o Dr. P e r e t t i ,but I have and he says, just look at the

    pictures, it makes it a lot clearer. So the

    notion that he doesn't need the pictures to

    explain himself when he's talking to an

    experienced homicide prosecutor and still

    says, let's l o o k at the pictures is, to me,

    simply inaccurate.

    Mr. Garret implied that all of the

    things we're talking about wanting to prove

    are things for the penalty phase, but they are

    not. Aggravated arson is a predicate felony

    for the crime not the penalty but the crime of

    first degree murder. Kidnapping i s a predicate

    felony for the crime, not the penalty, of

    first degree murder. And the intent to kill

    more than one person is an aggravating

    circumstance for the guilt phase as well as

    the penalty phase of first degree murder. So

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    all of these things are wrapped inextricably

    to the State's burden of proof.

    Basically, you know, the fact that the

    police reached the determination in their

    reports doesn't change the fact that it was

    based on observation and evidence and that

    they should be allowed to explain the validity

    of that observation and evidence. And the

    notion that the depth of wounds is not

    relevant to proving specific intent, that

    that's some conclusion, I mean, Mr. Garret

    kind of made my argument for me, specific

    intent is a conclusion you reach on looking at

    the facts. Well, if they can't look at the

    facts, you know, how they can they reach that

    conclusion? There were deep injuries to his

    head doesn't do it. There were deep injuries,

    repeated injuries, multiple injuries and

    here's what they were, and they came from an

    item just like this weapon, that goes to

    identity and specific intent.

    And I did also not address, but I

    would, you know, remind the Court, you know,

    there were troubling allegations in defense's

    motion about a purportedly threatening e-mail.

    I provided the Court with a copy of that

    e-mail. You know, as I said in my response,

    you know, I'm at a loss to see what part of

    take care, t h a n k s ' f o r your courtesy, and we'rereserving our rights to litigate a question is

    in any way threatening. And I did feel that

    that was a fairly strong allegation to make

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    based on my e-mail. That's all I have.

    MR . GARRET: Your Honor, I just want toremind the Court in our motion aside from

    asking for the exclusion of these materials,

    if the Court admits them, and we disagree

    strongly that they should be admitted, I want

    to remind the Court that we have also asked

    for low contrast black and whites instead

    Iwhich if the Court disagrees with us on the

    exclusion we feel would adequately serve all

    the needs here.

    THE COURT: All right. Thank you both

    for your arguments. In connection with the

    Imotion to suppress gruesome guilt phasephotographs in evidence, I do not find, first

    of all, that all of the photographs are

    explicit; however, the photographs that are in

    question, if relevant or admissible, if the

    probative value, outweighs its prejudicial

    impact. The State has gone through the

    photos, at least sixteen - - and they are color

    p h o t o s - - and stated its reasons and purposefor wanting to admit such photographs into

    evidence in this particular case. Based upon

    the reasons stated by the State, the Court

    I

    I

    finds that the photographs have their

    relevancy. In addition, the Court finds that

    the probative value would outweigh any

    prejudicial effect in this case. I believe

    sufficient reasons have been stated by the

    State, and therefore the Court will deny the

    motion to suppress gruesome guilt phase

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    photographs in evidence.

    I would note the defense's objection to

    the Court's ruling for the record; however, I

    do believe that the State has a right to

    p r e s e n t its c a s e . They c a r r y t h e b u rd e n o f

    proof. I do not believe that black and white

    photos would have the effect that the defense

    argues in this matter, and I believe that the

    State has a right to present its case.

    Because it carries the burden of proof, it has

    a right to present the color photos. I do not

    find any relevant reasons stated why the color

    photos should not be allowed and should be

    r e p l a c e d w i t h b l a c k a n d w h i t e p h o t o s , so t h a t

    request is also denied.

    And your objection, Mr. Garret, to the

    Court's ruling is noted for the record.

    M R . GARRET: Thank you, Your Honor.MR. O'CALLAGHAN: Your Honor, I would

    ask, with the Court's permission, that the

    Court place its copy of the photographs in

    record.

    (Whereupon a discussion o f f the record was

    held. )

    (Whereupon the foregoing exhibits were filed

    into the record.)

    THE COURT: For the record, during this

    argument on the motion to suppress, the jury

    was not present. It was done outside the

    presence of the jury.L

    So the first person on the prospective

    list will be Mr. Posey from yesterday's panel,

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    '1 :I- _.-e

    a'"Pl*uI ;e

    a n d t h e r e a r e a t l e a s t f i f t e e n o t h e r s .

    ( W h e r e u p o n a d i s c u s s i o n o f f t h e r e c o r d was

    h e l d . )

    M R . THOMPSON: We w i l l f o r m a l l y c a l lt h e c a s e o f S t a t e o f L o u i s i a n a v s .

    F e l t o n D o r s e y , D o c k e t N o . 251,406. T h e

    Id e f e n d a n t i s p r e s e n t w i t h t h e c o u n s e l ,M r . A l a n G o l d e n a n d M r . G l e n G a r r e t .

    Dhu T h om ps on f o r t h e d i s t r i c t a t t o r n e y ' s

    o f f i c e . W e a r e r e a d y t o p r o c e e d w i t h v o i r

    a r e o u t s i d e t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h e j u r y w a i t i n g

    o n t h e p a n e l .

    ( W h e r e u po n t h e v e n i r e p a n e l w a s s e a t e d i n t h e

    c o u r t r o o m . )

    T H E C O U R T : G o o d m o r n i n g , e v e r y o n e . I

    d o a p o l o g i z e f o r t h e d e l a y . W e h a d t o t a k e u p

    a f e w m a t t e r s o u t s i d e y o u r p r e s e n c e b e f o r e w e

    s t a r t e d . W e a r e now r e a d y t o c o n t i n u e w i t h

    j u r y s e l e c t i o n .

    L e t m e , f i r s t o f a l l , s a y t h a t e v e r y

    Ip e r s o n c h a r g e d w i t h a f e l o n y i n t h e S t a t e o f L o u i s i a n a i s e n t i t l e d t o a t r i a l b y j u r y

    a c c o r d i ' n g t o t h e l a w s o f t h e S t a t e o f

    L o u i s i a n a a n d t h o s e o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s

    C o n s t i t u t i o n . I r e a l i z e t h a t i t i s a n

    i n c o n v e n i e n c e f o r so m e o f y ou t o s e r v e o n t h e

    j u r y ; h o w e v e r , i t i s n e c e s s a r y f o r yo u t o

    s e r v e i n o r d e r f o r o u r s y s t e m o f j u s t i c e t o

    f u n c t i o n p r o p e r l y .

    I w o u l d a l s o l i k e t o t a k e t h i s t i m e t o

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    r e a d t o y o u t h e q u a l i f i c a t i o n s t h a t a r e

    r e q u i r e d o f y o u i n o r d e r t o s e r v e o n t h e j u r y .

    O n e , y o u m u s t be a c i t i z e n o f U n i t e d S t a t e s

    a n d o f t h e S t a t e o f L o u i s i a n a a n d h a v e r e s i d e d

    i n C a d d o P a r i s h f o r a t l e a s t o n e y e a r p r i o r t ot o d a y . T w o , yo'u m u s t b e a t l e a s t e i g h t e e n

    y e a r s o f a g e . T h r e e , y o u m u s t a b l e t o r e a d ,

    w r i t e a n d s p e a k t h e E n g l i s h l a n g u a g e . F o u r ,

    y o u m u s t b e n o t i n t e r d i c t e d o r i n c a p a b l e o f

    s e r v i n g b e c a u s e of's m e n t a l o r p h y s i c a li n f i r m i t y . F i v e , y o u m u s t n o t b e u n d e r

    i n d i c t m e n t f o , r a f e l o n y n o r c o n v i c t e d o f af e l o n y f o r w h i c h y ou h a v e n o t b e e n p a r d o n e d .

    I f a n y o f y o u f e e l t h a t y o u d o n o t m e e t

    t h e n e c e s s a r y qualifications, w o u l d y o u p l e a s e

    f o r m a 1 i n . e o n t h e w a l l o v e r h e r e b e h i n d t h er a i l , a n d I w i l l be h a p p y t o t a l k t o a b o u t

    t h a t .

    ( N o r e s p o n s e . )T H E C O U R T : A l s o , s o m e o f y o u may h a v e

    r e a s o n s t h a t y o u f e e l t h a t y o u c a n n o t s e r v e .

    I w a n t t o s a y t o y o u t h a t I a m v e r y l i m i t e d i n

    t h e r e a s o n s t h a t I c a n e x c u s e y ou f r o m j u r y

    d u t y . I n a d d i t i o n , a s I s t a t e d e a r l i e r , i n

    o r d e r f o r o u r s y s t e m t o s u r v i v e , w e m u s t h a v e

    w i l l i n g j u r o r s t h a t a r e w i l l i n g t o s e r v e o n

    t h e j u r y . L e t m e s e e i f t h e r e i s a n y o n e w i t h

    a n y p l a n n e d s u r g e r i e s o r t h i n g s o f t h a t

    n a t u r e , i f y o u w o u l d , s h ow m e y o u r h a n d s .

    T h e r e i s o n e . C a n y o u co me o v e r h e r e

    a n d l e t m e t a l k t o y o u .

    I s t h e r e a n y o n e w i t h p l a n n e d v a c a t i o n ?

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    (No response. )

    THE COURT: Is there anyone who also

    feel that they cannot serve on the jury for

    any reason?

    Two. All right.

    (Whereupon a discussion off the record was

    held.

    THE COURT: Can you all approach.

    (Whereupon a side-bar discussion o f f the

    record was held.)

    THE COURT: Ms. Holmes, you are free to

    leave.

    Ms. Bennett, you are free to leave.

    Ms. H e a b l e , you are free to leave.And, Mr. Posey, you are free to leave.

    (Whereupon the aforesaid venire members were

    excused from the panel.)

    THE COURT: Again, welcome to the

    First Judicial District Court. This is a

    criminal section of court. This trial is

    scheduled to last approximately two weeks.

    This is a sequestered trial. You will not be

    sequestered today or tomorrow; however, at

    some point, possibly Saturday, we will begin

    selecting jurors and we will begin

    sequestering jurors. And that is commonly

    referred to as a lock-up jury, meaning, that

    if selected, you will stay at hotel

    accommodations, and you will be taken care of

    by the sheriff's department. They will

    provide your meals and things of that nature.

    They will make all necessary arrangements for

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    y o u . A n d t h e t r i a l may l a s t a w e e k , a w e e k

    a n d a h a l f a t t h a t p o i n t . S o t h i s i s w h a t w e

    a r e l o o k i n g a t , a t t h i s p o i n t .

    -

    We a r e g o i n g t o c a l l a l l o f y o u t o t h e

    j u r y b o x at this point.

    ( W h e r e u p o n a d i s c u s s i o n o f f t h e r e c o r d was

    h e l d . )

    T H E C O U R T : M a ' a m c l e r k , w o u l d yo u

    p l e a s e c a l l t h e p r o s p e c t i v e j u r o r s .

    W H E R E U P O N . . .

    t h e f o l l o w i n g v e n i r e members w e r e s e a t e d :

    J u r o r O n e : M a r k N a t a l eJuror Two: Cheryl D. T h o r n t o nJ u r o r T h r e e : J o a n n S . S t e w a r t

    J u r o r F o u r : I rm a L . E d w a r d s

    J u r o r F i v e : R o n a l d T . O l a g u e

    J u r o r S i x : D a n n y W a l k e r

    J u r o r S e v e n : M o n i c a M . H i c k s

    J u r o r E i g h t : C a r l i t a R . D i x o nJ u r o r N i n e : C h a r l e s W a l t e r s , J r .

    J u r o r T e n : S h a r o n S n e l l i n gJ u r o r E l e v e n : M a r v i n J e f f e r s o n

    J u r o r T w e l v e : C a r r i e C l a y

    J u r o r T h i r t e e n : S e t h T h o m a s

    T H E C O U R T : W o u l d e a c h o f y o u p l e a s e

    s t a n d , r a i s e y o u r r i g h t h a n d a n d be s w o r n .

    ( W h e re u p o n t h e v e n i r e p a n e l was d u l y s w o r n . )

    T H E C O U R T : T h i s i s c a l l e d v o i r d i r e

    e x a m i n a t i o n . T h i s i s t h e o n l y p h a s e o f t r i a l

    w h e r e t h e a t t o r n e y s w i l l a s k q u e s t i o n s . You7

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    will be allowed to ask questions. Feel free

    to ask any questions that you deem necessary

    to ask.

    If you want an explanation for

    something, this is the time to ask. The

    attorneys m.ay not be able to answer everyquestion; however, they will explain that to

    you, but feel free to ask anything you want to

    ask.

    happy to give it to you. If you need them to

    IIf you need an explanation, they will bel

    rephrase or restate something, they will be

    .happy to do that for you. If you are asked

    something that you feel is too private or too

    personal to be discussed in the presence of

    everyone, simply say so and we will talk to

    you privately about that matter outside the

    presence of the other jurors.

    It is important that you speak up when

    Iyou are answering because the court reporter

    is recording everything that is being said.

    So we need you to speak up, so that she can

    hear as well as the other attorneys that are

    involved in the litigation.

    Let me introduce the attorneys involved

    in this litigation. Representing the State of

    Louisiana is the elected District Attorney,

    Mr. Charles Scott, Mr. Dhu Thompson, and

    Mr. Brady O ' C a l l a g h a n . Representing theaccused is Mr. Alan Golden,

    Mr. David M c C l a t c h e y . Ms. Michelle A n d r e P o n tstepped out for just a moment. Mr. Glen Garret

    has stepped out also for just a moment. The

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    Iaccused is Felton Dorsey.

    Again, there are no right and wrong

    answers. The best answer is a truthful

    a n s w e r .

    With that, is the State to ready

    proceed.

    MR. THOMPSON: We are, Your Honor.\ (Whereupon a P o w e r P o i n t presentation prepared

    by t h e S t a t e was d i s p l a y e d t o t h e v e n i r e

    panel. )

    VOIR DIRE EXAMINATION

    BY M R . THOMPSON:Q. Good morning,' ladies and gentlemen.

    As previously introduced, my name i s

    Dhu Thompson, and I'm an assistant district

    attorney here in C a d d o Parish. And I'mjoining Mr. Brady O ' C a l l a g h a n along with thedistrict attorney, Mr. Charles Scott, as a

    prosecution team here in the case o f State of

    Louisiana vs. Felton Dorsey.

    As the judge has indicated, this is a

    first degree murder charge, and it carries a

    capital punishment sentence option in this

    case. So, ladies and gentlemen, let me start

    off by stating that I know this might be the

    first time some of you have ever been in court

    in this type of situation, and I know it might

    be a little intimidating at this time.

    What I'm going to try to do is to

    relax you in your seats to tell you that, as

    the judge stated, there's no right or wrong

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    that guy walked? Have you ever seen that

    situation.

    A. (By Ms. Dixon) Yes.

    Q. Ms. Hicks, have you ever seen an

    election, you know, over the last ten years,

    whether it be a local, state o r national

    election, where you said, I can't believe that

    guy won, or, I can't believe that guy lost?

    A. (By Ms. Hicks) Right.

    Q. Now, Mr. Thomas, if you don't vote i nthat election, you can't complain about the

    results?

    A. (By M r . Thomas) No.

    Q. Ms. Thornton, to that extent, if the'

    j u r o r s didn't p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h i s p r o c e s s ,

    c o u l d t h e r e e v e r b e a c o m p l a i n t t h a t t h e

    system is not working?

    A. (By Ms. Thornton) No.

    Q. Okay. Ms. Stewart, the same line of

    questioning, in reference to the integrity of

    the system, do you agree or disagree that

    without jury participation that the system

    would crumble?

    A. (By Ms. Stewart) I agree.

    Q. To that extent, ladies and gentlemen,with this, I want to stress the importance

    that if you're able and willing to serve on

    this jury, the system, the integrity of the

    system needs the participation of good jurors

    in our parish in order to keep the system

    running, especially with these type of

    important cases.

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    Ladies and gentlemen, we have two

    phases of the voir dire here. As indicated by

    the Court and as charged by the district

    attorney's office, this is a capital case.

    So at this point in the voir dire, we are

    t a l k i n g a b ou t t h r e e s p e c i f i c a r e a s r i g h t now.

    The first topic will be sequestration. The

    next topic I am going to discuss is pretrial

    publicity, and then the third topic, this is

    going to be the most important topic that I'm

    going to c o v e r in r e f e r e n c e t o who c a n q u a l i f y

    t o s i t on this jury.

    NOW, I know some of you may have

    never thought about this issue or, if you

    thought about it, you thought about it i npassing as far as your internal views and

    opinions about the death penalty. But as I

    throw this out to you in the beginning, I want

    you to start internally thinking about what is

    your opinion about the death penalty because,

    keep in mind, we are going to be asking you

    later on in this presentation whether it's a

    punishment that you can seriously consider or

    whether it would be a punishment that you

    could impose if the evidence merits it. Now,

    keep in mind, this is where we are going to

    seek honest answers.

    And as a prosecutor who's done plenty

    of these cases, I've heard every answer in the

    book. I've heard people say that they can't

    do it under any circumstances. I've heard

    people say that I ' l l do it no matter what the

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    evidence is. I've heard people say I' m

    neutral to either side. We have heard the

    whole spectrum of answers so, keep in mind,

    ladies and gentlemen, when we get to that

    topic there's no right or wrong answer. So I

    hope that starts your thinking as far as your

    opinion on that important topic.

    Let me talk to you about the

    sequestration. When we talk about

    sequestration, that means no contact with

    anyone. Once sequestration begins the sheriff

    will take custody of you and that doesn't mean

    you go to the C a d d o Correctional Center. Thatmeans you are going to go to a nice hotel. As

    the judge indicated, you are going to be

    provided very good meals, and the sheriff's

    office is going to take care of you through

    the duration of the trial. You are going to

    have limited TV and newspaper exposure to

    maintain the integrity of the proceedings so

    there is no outside influences coming in

    influencing your decision when your decision

    should b e based on the facts and the evidence.

    Do you agree with that, Ms. Edwards?

    A. (By Ms. Edwards) Yes.

    Q. Do you see why they do the

    sequestration process?

    A. (By Ms. Edwards) Yes.

    Q. As indicated by the Court, we are in

    the continuous process of selecting this jury.

    We anticipate sequestration could begin around

    Friday, maybe Saturday. That is our time

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    (Whereupon a side-bar discussion off the

    record was held.)

    THE COURT: Ms. Stewart, could you

    approach, please.

    (Whereupon a discussion off the record was

    held. )

    \ THE COURT: F o r t h e r e c o r d , Ms. S t e w a r t

    is excused for the reasons already stated.

    (Whereupon the prospective juror was excused

    from the courtroom.)

    BY M R . THOMPSON:Q. Ms. Edwards, I believe I left off

    with you.

    A. (By Ms. Edwards) (Ju'ror nods head.)

    Q. O k a y . Would the sequestration p o s eany i s s u e f o r you?

    A. (By Ms. Edwards) Yes.

    Q. Could you tell me about that.

    A. (By Ms. Edwards) Usually, when I get

    o f f work every evening, I have to go to my

    daughter's house to take care o f my

    grandchildren every day because she has to be

    at work from 1 2 : O O to 8 : O O every day. And soI have to be there when I get o f f work to meet

    the bus when they get o f f bus. They are

    elementary kids from four to eleven.

    Q. These are your grandchildren?A. (By Ms. Edwards) Uh-huh.

    Q. Their mother - -A. (By Ms. Edwards) Works every day.

    Q. What time does the mother get o f f

    work?

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    ' From 1 2 : O O noon until 8 : O O at night.

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    A. (By Ms. Edwards) At 8 : O O at night.

    Q. Are you the only relative here in

    town that could assume that responsibility? I

    know your daughter probably prefers you,

    but - -

    A. (By Ms. Edwards) Well, as far as

    she's concerned, I am. I mean, other

    relatives, I have would help us, too. As a

    m a t t e r of f a c t , I h a v e t w o s i s t e r s .

    Q. Would they be able to assume those

    responsibilities if you were selected as a

    juror?

    A. (By Ms. Edwards) Well - -

    Q . I know y ou r d a u g h t e r p r o b a b l y p r e f e r s

    you.

    A. (By Ms. Edwards) But my oldest sister

    just got out of the hospital from a blockage.

    Q. Okay.

    A. (By Ms. Edwards) My other sister, I

    don't know because she's at work every day. I

    don't know where she is afterward.

    Q. Okay. So you feel that situation may

    impose an extreme hardship on you?

    A. (By Ms. Edwards) Yes, because there

    is no one to keep them.

    Q. If you were selected as a juror in

    this case and you weren't able to make any

    accommodations, how would that affect you as a

    juror?

    A. (By Ms. Edwards) (No response.)

    Q. I'll accept whatever answer you give

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    me.

    A. (By Ms. Edwards) It would affect me

    pretty bad.

    Q. How would it affect you? Just give me

    your best explanation. I

    A. (By Ms. E d w a r d s ) In my bestI

    explanation, I wouldn't be here.

    Q. Do you feel you might be distractedfrom these proceedings?

    A. (By Ms. Edwards) No.

    Q. W o u l d y o u feel like you could stillI

    pay attention to the facts and evidence and

    the witnesses?

    A. (By Ms. Edwards) Yes.

    Q. If we were to allow you to make

    accommodations to see if another relative or a

    family friend here in town could take care of

    that responsibility, would that alleviate your

    hardship?

    A. (By Ms. Edwards) Yes.

    Q . We can certainly make thoseaccommodations to allow you to do that.

    A. (By Ms. Edwards) Okay.

    Q . Mr. Olague, d i d I say your namecorrectly?

    A. (ByMr. Olague) 0-la-GEE. An 1 1 0 , " and"leg" and an "E."

    Q . All right. Mr. Olague, do you haveany issues with the sequestration topic?

    A. (By Mr. Olague) No, sir.

    Q. You would be able to serve as a

    sequestered juror?

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    A. (By Mr. Walker) Well, privately.

    Q. Do you want to discuss it in private?A. ( B yM r . W a l k e r ) Y e s .

    Q. Okay. I ' l l make that accommodation.Ms. Clay.

    A. (By Ms. Clay) It would be

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    A. (By Mr. Olague) Yes.

    Q. Mr. Walker.

    A. (By Mr. Walker) I've got a situation

    this weekend, but c a n n o t b e c a n c e l e d , a n d it'san activity that has been planned for a year.

    Q. Is that something you mind discussing

    here?

    inconvenient, but it would b e okay.

    Q. Jury service is always inconvenientto everybody, but what we're seeking is

    whether anybody has any extreme hardships. So

    you would be able to serve as a sequestered

    juror?

    A. (By Ms. Clay) My husband is a youth

    minister, but he could do without me for a

    little while.

    Q. I normally get a good response from

    married couples with children.

    A. (By Ms. Clay) I don't have any kids.

    I've one on the way, but I don't have any kids

    here.

    Q. I've heard them say, sign me up, I

    need the vacation.

    A. (By Ms. Clay) I've got a vacation to

    work on, so it's okay.

    Q. Mr. Jefferson.

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    A. (By Mr. Jefferson) It would bebecause it's two weeks.

    Q. Okay.A. (By Mr. Jefferson) Because of my

    financial situation that would be the only

    hardship I would have.

    Q. I'm sorry?

    A. (By Mr. Jefferson) The only hardship

    I would have is because of the two weeks I'm

    off work.

    Q. Where do you work?

    A. (By Mr. Jefferson) Republic

    Contractors.

    Q . What type of work do you do there?A. (By Mr. Jefferson) Plumber.

    Q. Are you an hourly employee?

    A. (By Mr. Jefferson) Yes.Q. Is it fair to say that if you don't

    work, you don't get paid?

    A. (By Mr. Jefferson) Correct.

    Q. I'm assuming your boss won't make anyaccommodations to that effect?

    A. (By Mr. Jefferson) I would have to

    ask him about that.

    Q. You would have to ask him. If hewere to make those accommodations to your

    salary, would that alleviate your hardship?

    A. (By Mr. Jefferson) Yeah.

    Q . If he wasn't able to make thoseaccommodations, that would pose an extreme

    economic hardship?

    A. (By Mr. Jefferson) Well, not extreme

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    because God handles all my affairs.

    Q. So let me ask you this,notwithstanding what you have just stated,

    would you be able to serve as a sequestered

    juror if maybe we were to allow you to check

    o n t h o s e h a r d s h i p s i n r e f e r e n c e t o y o u r b o s s

    giving your salary during your jury service?

    A. (By Mr. Jefferson) Yes.

    Q. Any other hardships we need to know

    a b o u t ?

    A. (ByMr. Jefferson) No.

    Q. Ms. Snelling.A. (By Ms. Snelling) Yes. I work for

    the school system, and I do evaluations. I

    have fourteen evaluations in the process right

    now. It's the last weeks of school. Theyhave to be completed in these last two weeks.

    I also tutor high school students for finals,

    and it would be very difficult for them to

    find another tutor at this late date.

    Q. Okay. Having a mother who is a school

    teacher, I understand.

    A. (By Ms. Snelling) My father also has

    cancer and lives in Baton Rouge. He just

    started treatment was yesterday. The last one

    was so severe that they had hospitalize him

    and if that happens again, I would have to be

    with him.

    Q. I'm very sorry to hear about that

    situation. Ms. Snelling, I am going to make a

    note here, we may readdress this issue in a

    private capacity later on in the voir dire.

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    Mr. Walters.

    A. (By Mr. Walters) Just two situations.

    My wife has a ruptured disk and she is goes to

    the neurology on the 25th to decide what kind

    o f s u r g e r y that may occur , although the

    surgery probably won't be schedule right away.

    If it's two weeks, it's not a problem, but I

    do have vacation that starts on the 7th. I

    have already paid and I won't get my money

    b a c k .

    Q. The 7th of June?

    A. (By Mr. Walters) Yeah.

    Q. I hate to make a promise, but Ianticipate we'll be done by then.

    A. ( B yMr. Wal ter s) As l o n g as

    arrangements could made that my wife could

    speak to the sheriff's department and let me

    know what results are, then I have no problem.

    Q. That would alleviate the hardship?

    A. (By Mr. Walters) Yes.

    Q. Ms. Dixon.A. (By Ms. Dixon) No.

    Q . No hardships?A. (By Ms. Dixon) No.

    Q. Okay. Ms. Hicks.

    A. (By Ms. Hicks) I was planning to go

    out of town in the morning and come back

    Sunday evening.

    , Q. Okay.

    A. (By Ms. Hicks) And also my niece is

    graduating on the 2 3 r d .Q. Your niece is graduat,ing on the 23rd

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    which would be Saturday?

    A. .(By Ms. Hicks) Saturday a week.

    Q. Okay. Let me ask you this as far asyour out-of-town trip for tomorrow, is it

    something that could be rescheduled if you

    were selected?

    A. ( B yMs. H i c k s ) W e l l , i t has b e e n

    planned for several months. I'd really rather

    not miss it.IQ. If you don't mind me asking, is it a

    personal vacation or is it business?

    A. (By Ms. Hicks) Yes, personal.

    Q. I t ' s a personal vacation. Is itsomething that non-refundable?

    A. (By Ms. Hicks) N o .

    Q. It's n o t r e f u n d a b l e ?A. Oh, yes. It's just a camping trip

    with my family.

    Q. Let me pose a question to you, andI'll accept whatever answer you give me. Isit something that can be rescheduled or is

    it - -

    A. (By Ms. Hicks) (Juror shakes head.)

    No.

    Q. So let me ask you this: I f , y o u wereselected as a juror in this sequestered

    manner, how would that affect you? . A n d I'llaccept whatever answer you give me.

    A. (By Ms. Hicks) It's something I would

    like to do. So I don't g e t . t o see my dado'ften. He lives in town, but with my job and

    he goes to bed early, so we just never get to

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    visit, and he's seventy-two. And he's down at

    Toledo Bend alone right now. He's expecting

    all the family to come down.

    Q. Would it be something that w o u l d

    create a severe strain on your ability to

    serve as a juror if you were selected?

    A. (By Ms. Hicks) No. I would be upset.

    Q. Would it be something that you might

    hold against either of the parties?

    A . ( B y M s . H i c k s ) M ay b e . ( L a u g h t e r . )

    No.

    Q. This is why I do this process.

    A. (By Ms. Hicks) I would be hurt.

    Q. O k a y . I guess the crunch question is,

    if selected, would you be able to serve as a

    juror?

    A. (By Ms. Hicks) Yes, but I wouldn't

    want to miss my niece's graduation.

    Q. On the 2 3 r d ?A. (By Ms. Hicks) The 2 3 r d .Q. Well, Judge Mosely is very good at

    making these cases go very expeditiously. So

    hopefully, we will be done by then. Okay?

    A. (By Ms. Hicks) (Juror nods head.)

    Q. Mr. Thomas.

    A. (By Mr. Thomas) I have a bicycle race

    this weekend that I've already paid for which

    is not a big deal.

    Q. Okay.

    A. (By Mr. Thomas) Then' my sister

    graduates high school on the 24th.

    Q. Of this month?

    m61

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    A. (By Mr. Thomas) Um-hum.

    Q. To the extent of your bicycle race,is that something that - -

    A. (By Mr. Thomas) It's nothing that's a

    big deal. It's just that it was sixty-three

    dollars, and I have already paid that.

    Q. I played a lot of tennis tournaments,and there has been a lot of cases where I've

    had to eat my fee. So I understand that, butIto the extent that you c o u l d d o that - -I

    A. (By Mr. Thomas) It's nothing severe.

    Q. - - you would be able to serve. As toyour graduation on the 23rd - - is that

    correct?

    A. (By Mr. Thomas) The 23rd or 2 4 t h ,Sunday.

    Q. I anticipate the case may be over by

    then. I don't want to make any promises, but

    to that extent, would you still be able to

    serve as a juror in this case?

    A. (By Mr. Thomas) Yes.

    Q. Is there anybody else that hasanything they want to add to their answer

    before I move to the next topic.

    Yes, ma'am, Ms. Edwards.

    A. (ByMs. Edwards) I do. If I am

    selected, would my job be informed?

    Q. Yes, ma'am.

    A. (By Ms. Edwards) Okay.

    Q. We will allow you to make

    accommodations to inform your job and, if

    needed, there can be notifications to confirm

    I

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    I .._

    that you are indeed here in a sequestered

    manner.

    A. (By Ms. Edwards) I told my students

    yesterday and this morning.

    Q. You p u t them o n n o t i c e .A. (By Ms. Edwards) Yes.

    Q. Ms. Clay, did you have your hand up?A. (By Ms. Clay) Would we start tomorrow

    if we got picked?

    Q - No, 'ma'am. We're s t i l l i n t h eprocess of selection.

    A. (By Ms. Clay) Oh, okay. I was just

    wondering because I have an appointment at

    9 : 3 0 in the morning.Q. You should be able to make that

    appointment tomorrow.

    A. (By Ms. Clay) Okay.

    Q. Is there anybody else that has any'

    questions .or wants to add to their answer?

    Yes, ma'am, Ms. Thornton.

    A. (By Ms. Thornton) I do have vacation

    planned for the day after Memorial Day, that

    week. I don't know what that - -

    Q. That would be the 2 6 t h , 27th.A. (By Ms. Thornton) Do you think it

    would be through by then?

    Q. Once again, I hate to promise that

    and then we roll into week three, but we're

    going to try our best to keep within the time

    frames that we have given out to the jurors.

    A. ( B y Ms. Thornton) Okay.

    Q. To that extent, would that help with

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    your hardship?

    A. (By Ms. Thornton) Yes.

    Q. Okay. Ladies and gentlemen, my next

    topic concerns pretrial publicity, and this is

    where, as well, too, I want to stress to

    everybody here before you give your answer,

    this case has received some pre-trial

    publicity when the incident occurred and

    leading up to the trial. I don't know if

    a n y b o d y h a s s e e n a n y t h i n g o n t h e n e w s or h a s

    heard anything through community talk or

    through any media outlets. If I could give a

    reminder here at this point, if you have heard

    s o m e t h i n g i n t h e m e d i a a b o u t t h i s c a se , j u s t

    let me know. I don't want you to go into any

    Iextreme details. I just want you to let me

    know if you've heard anything right off the

    bat. And then I'm going to explore it .further.

    When we talk about the pretrial*

    publicity in this c a s e , , o u r basic allegations,the crime occurred April 1, 2006, at the

    location of 8 8 4 5 Greenwood Springridge Road,

    Highway 169, near Greenwood. The victim in

    this case, a gentleman by the name of

    Mr. Joe Prock was killed. His mother, victim

    Bobbie Prock, was also injured in this

    offense. The C a d d o Parish Sheriff's Officeinvestigated this case.

    Now, I can't get into any more

    specifics other than that, that's the basic

    allegations that the law provides us to give

    to you in this stage of jury selection.

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    Keep in mind, Ms. Snelling, whenever

    you see a big case on TV, are you familiar

    with the Drew P e t e r s e n case that's going on?A. (By Ms. Snelling) Urn-hum.

    Q. With that case, that's a police

    officer. He's had several wives missing now.

    And he has now been arrested for murder,

    right? A lot of pretrial publicity, wouldn't

    you agree?

    A. (By Ms. Snelling) ( J u r o r nods head.)

    Q. In those instances, jurors that aregoing to be selected up there, do you think

    they should base their verdict on the pretrial

    publicity?

    A. ( B y M s . S n e l l i n g ) No.

    Q. What should they base the verdict o n?

    A. (By Ms. Snelling) The evidence.

    Q. The facts and the evidence.

    Would you agree with that,

    Mr. Walters?

    A. (By Mr. W a l t e r s ) Yes.Q. This is what I want to touch up on.

    I'll start with you, Mr. Natale. Have youheard any pretrial publicity exposure to this

    case?

    I A. (By Mr. Natale) I recall the newsaccounts when it first happened, and this past

    Sunday night, I read an article on it.

    I

    Q. F r o m what your understanding of thepretrial publicity is, is it the same basic

    allegations that is put up here on our

    outline?

    55

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    A. (By Mr. Natale) Yes.

    Q. * With this, have you 'formed any

    preconceived notions of the defendant's gu-iltor innocence?

    A. ( B y Mr. Natale) No.

    Q. I f you w e r e ' s e l e c t e d as a juror inthe case, what would you base your verdict on?

    A. (By Mr. Natale) What was presented as

    evidence in the trial.

    Q. And also i f you were selected a s a

    juror, would you be able to exclude anything

    you might have heard in the news media

    accounts about this case?

    A. (By Mr. Natale) Yes.

    Q. And render a decision based strictly

    on the facts and evidence in the courtroom?

    A. (By Mr. Natale) Yes.

    Q . Ms. Thornton.A. (By Ms. Thornton) I, too. I remember

    at that time, but I haven't heard anything

    since.

    . Q . Okay. Ms. Thornton, I ' l l use this asa comment, have you ever seen a news media

    story that turned out to be false down the

    road?

    A. (By Ms. Thornton) Oh, sure.

    Q. They are not in here now, so I can go

    ahead and say this without offending anybody,

    but is it a fair statement to s a y . t h a t thenews doesn't always get the stories right?

    A. (By Ms. Thornton) True.

    Q. Would you agree that the news stories

    Q Iq

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    A .

    Q .

    A .

    Q .

    ( B y M s . E d w a r d s ) Yes.

    You f e e l s t r o n g l y a b o u t t h a t ?

    ( B y M s . E d w a r d s ) Yes.

    M r . O l a g u e , h a v e y o u h a d a n y p r e t r i a l

    p u b l i c i t y exposure t o t h i s c a s e ?

    A. ( B y M r . O l a g u e ) Yes , q u i t e a b i t .

    Q . Q u i t e a b i t .A. ( B y M r . O l a g u e ) ( J u r o r n o d s h e a d . )

    Q . I s i t t h e b a s i c a l l e g a t i o n s t h a t I ' v e

    o u t l i n e d h e r e ?

    A . ( B y M r . O l a g u e ) Y e s .

    Q . F r o m w h a t y o u ' v e h e a r d , h a v e y o uf o r m e d a n y p r e c o n c e i v e d n o t i o n s o f t h e

    defendant's guilt or innocence?

    A. (By Mr. O l a g u e ) No.

    Q . I f y o u were s e l e c t e d a s a j u r y i n

    t h i s c a s e , w h a t w o u l d y o u , b a s e y o u r d e c i s i o na n d v e r d i c t o n ?

    A . ( B y M r . O l a g u e ) O n l y o n t h e f a c t s

    p r e s e n t e d a s e v i d e n c e .

    Q . T h e f a c t s p r e s e n t e d h e r e i n c o u r t ?

    A . ( B y M r . O l a g u e ) Yes.

    Q . W h a t y o u d i d h e a r o r w h a t y o u w e re

    e x p o s e d t o , w o u l d y o u be a b l e t o e x c l u d e t h a t

    m e d i a p o r t i o n a n d b a s e y o u r d e c i s i o n s t r i c t l y

    o n t h e f a c t s a n d e v i d e n c e ?

    A. ( B y M s . E d w a r d s ) I b e l i e v e s o , y e s ,

    s i . r .Q . M r . W a l k e r , how a b o u t y o u ?A. ( B y M r . W a l k e r ) I t w o u l d ' b e t h e same.

    A nd I m e a n , I ' v e h e a r d a t o u c h o f i t o n t h e

    T V . M o s t o f w h a t I h a v e h e a


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