Before opening statements, attorneys and Mark Dare have already met with Judge Cockrum twice

This is the first day I could cover alleged molestor Mark Dare's jury trial. COVID 19 has changed the way jury trials will be conducted.

The alleged victims are his stepdaughters. Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm is the prosecutor. Public Defender Marek Reavis is Dare's attorney.

Only 10 people are allowed to be spectators due to COVID 19 safety protocols. Admission is on a first come, first served basis. The 10 spots includes media. I did put in a media request which was granted. I want to thank and appreciate that Judge Kaleb Cockrum has assured me I will have a spot,  however the way seating is set up, I will be here early so I can sit where I can hear and see witnesses and evidence.

Four members of Bikers Against Child Abuse are here and so is a DA intern. Later in the morning, Deputy Public Defender Jessica Bennett showed up with three people, I assume are PD interns and that filled all spots available.

Attorneys met with Judge Cockrum before he read jury instructions. They had already been instructed on 101. Judge Cockrum read 102 and 104.

Then before opening statements, attorneys are meeting with Judge Cockrum. This was followed with a juror briefly meeting with the attorneys and Judge Cockrum.

Nine men and 7 women. With numbers assigned and the seating here, canmot tell who the 12 jurors are and who the alternates are.

There are several posts on this case over two years, including detailed coverage of the preliminary hearing. I am not going to link them all. You can access them via the search feature or Google. No other media has covered this case.

Recent posts:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2020/09/covid-19-offsite-location-and-extra.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2020/09/no-videostreaming-for-public-for-mark.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2020/09/mark-dare-jury-trial-will-not-be.html?m=1