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Many correctional officers, teachers among questioned

This story originally appeared February 3, 2007

By JESSICA LOGAN, Californian staff writer
e-mail: jlogan@bakersfield.com | Friday, Feb 16 2007 12:48 PM

Last Updated: Friday, Feb 16 2007 12:48 PM

A woman whose own brother was murdered would not want his killers sentenced to death, the potential juror said Friday during jury selection for the upcoming Vincent Brothers trial.

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The judge and attorneys in the Brothers case queried her and other jurors on their views on the death penalty because Brothers faces that sentence if he is convicted of killing his wife, three children and mother-in-law.

So far, about 50 people have been selected to move on to the next round of jury selection.

Kern County Superior Court Judge Michael Bush said he wants between 70 and 90 jurors available before moving on to the next phase of jury selection.

Among those moving on to the next phase of jury selection is a former high school classmate of Judge Bush.

Two of the most popular occupations for the potential jurors are teachers and correctional officers.

Some teachers pose a problem because Brothers was a vice principal. But most teachers say they didn't know Brothers.

Correctional officers also face special questioning for fear they would not be fair to Brothers.

So far, jurors have been questioned individually on their views on the death penalty and other issues.

Next week Bush hopes to start questioning the jurors in large groups so the attorneys can decide who to excuse from the group.

In death penalty cases, each side can excuse 20 jurors during selection of a 12-member jury.

Brothers is accused of killing his wife, Joanie Harper; their three children, Marques, Lyndsey and Marshall; and Joanie Harper's mother, Earnestine.

Brothers has pleaded not guilty.

His family was found dead on July 8, 2003, and he was arrested in April 2004 on suspicion of committing the murders.

Jury selection will continue Monday.