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Judge Postpones Komisarjevsky Jury Selection a Day

Attorneys will resume process of picking jurors on Tuesday

A new jury panel will be called on Tuesday for the resumption of jury selection for the trial of Joshua Komisarjevsky, the second Cheshire home invasion defendant.

Judge Jon C. Blue postponed selection for one day because he had a family obligation, according to sources close to the proceedings.

When the attorneys return to the sixth-floor courtroom in New Haven Superior Court, they will begin questioning the fourth panel of prospective jurors since jury selection began on March 16. Each panel consists of about 40 individuals.

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So far, three jurors have been selected during six days of voir dire questioning. Defense lawyers and prosecutors must pick 12 jurors, six alternate jurors and three backup alternates for the trial scheduled to start on Sept. 19.

Although choosing one juror for every two days of jury selection might appear slow going, Judge Blue told attorneys last week he was satisfied with the pace.

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Jury selection took about 10 weeks for Komisarjevsky’s co-defendant, Steven Hayes, 47, who was tried and convicted last fall.

Judge Blue estimated that the initial guilt/innocence phase of Komisarjevsky’s trial would take about a month. If he is convicted, the sentencing phase would take two more months, the judge said.

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