Status of Jeff Tsarnas' jury trial was scheduled on March 22. The jury trial is on hiatus and people are in quarantine because "a COVID positive person" was in "attendance in that court last Thursday, March 11th," according to Humboldt Superior Court CEO and Jury Commissioner Kim Bartleson.
Ms. Bartleson spoke briefly and privately with Judge Canning before the Tsarnas case was officially called.
Before jurors were called into the courtroom and jury selection resumed, Judge Canning told attorneys and Tsarnas an additional panel has been called in for jury service today.
Judge Canning said, "I have no intention to go through voir dire with the full panel today."
Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is the prosecutor for the case. Deputy DA Steven Steward is second chair. Deputy Conflict Counsel April Van Dyke is Tsarnas' attorney.
Ms. Van Dyke asked Judge Canning, " Can I ask if quarantine has affected feelings about jury service?"
Judge Canning said yes and that Mr. Rees could ask the same question.
Judge Canning said that, "we have lost a couple of people from the original group." Juror #26 was excused for hardship. At first, Judge Canning said it was Juror #23, then said he wasn't sure about who the second juror was.
No jurors tested positive. It was clarified again today that "someone in the courtroom tested positve that day" which led to the hiatus and quarantine.
Mr. Rees made an oral motion to continue. Last time, the People also made a motion to continue after the jury trial had started.
Ms. Van Dyke objected. "This is the second time we have started selecting a jury. As long as Public Health and the Court are taking precautions, we can proceed with the jury trial."
Judge Canning denied the People's motion without prejudice. He said this was subject to conditions changing and mentioned the refrence last week by Presiding Judge Joyce Hinrichs about another emergency order.
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