The publicity surrounding the trial of Brittany Norwood, who is charged with first-degree murder in her co-worker’s March slaying at a Bethesda yoga store, became a key issue quickly during the first day of jury selection in the case.
When 149 prospective jurors were asked Monday morning how many of them had heard of the case, all but 18 of them said yes.
Nearly 300 potential jurors are being questioned in two groups of about 150. From that panel, 12 jurors and five alternates will ultimately be chosen to hear the case.
All jurors who said they had heard of the case — whether from a news article, a friend or television broadcast — are being questioned about their responses and whether they could still decide the case fairly.
Prosecutors allege that Norwood beat Jayna Murray to death in Lululemon Athletica on the evening of March 11, then pretended to be a victim when police found the pair the next morning in an attempt to cover up the killing. She was arrested a week later.
The slaying startled the upscale Bethesda area and the notoriety of the case appears to have affected some prospective jurors.
The jurors were asked whether they had already formed opinions about Norwood’s guilt or innocence. Of the first 149 questioned, 38 said they had.
In an effort to prevent jurors from learning more about the case, Judge Robert Greenberg ordered the potential jurors to not watch television, read news, listen to the radio, check e-mail or use any other electronic communication method during the jury selection process.
Jurors were also asked whether seeing graphic photographs during the trial would make it difficult to render an impartial verdict, whether they had ever shopped at the Bethesda Lululemon and if they were acquainted with Lululemon employees. Jurors who responded affirmatively to those questions are being questioned individually.
A few jurors were dismissed because they said do not understand English well.
The trial is expected to last eight to 10 days in Montgomery County Circuit Court.
