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Sequester Casey Anthony Trial Jurors 6-8 Weeks?

By Stephanie Rabiner, Esq. on May 11, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Day 2 of jury selection in the Casey Anthony trial has been completed, and presiding Judge Perry is whittling the pool down to people who are free for the next 6 to 8 weeks.

As part of the process, he explained to potential jurors that they will spend their afternoons and weekends stuck in an Orlando hotel room, cut off from most of society.

In more official terms, Judge Perry plans to "sequester" members of the jury during the entirety of the Casey Anthony trial so that they are not influenced by the media frenzy that is sure to come.

When jurors are sequestered, they are usually put up in a hotel near the courthouse where they have limited access to television, newspapers and the internet. Their only contact with the outside world is regulated by the presiding judge.

During selection, Judge Perry told jurors that while media access will be limited, they will be able to speak to their families, who may also occasionally visit, reports the St. Petersburg Times.

He also stated that jurors may pay bills over the internet, watch preapproved movies and engage in a PlayStation battle of the wills. The court will also arrange side trips to allow for some fresh air.

However, it's unlikely that they will be visiting Disney World.

Jury sequestration is not unique to the Casey Anthony trial, and neither are Judge Perry's impositions.

Cases that are hot media commodities often require the same restrictions so that defendants are guaranteed an impartial jury.

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