The trial of Gerald Stanley got under way Monday morning with selection of a jury at Alex Dillabough Centre in Battleford.
A jury panel of seven women and five men plus two alternate jurors, a man and a woman, were selected following a selection process that lasted from 10 a.m. until just before 1 p.m.
During the break in proceedings afterwards, Boushie’s cousin Jade Tootoosis met the media, along with her family’s lawyer Chris Murphy.
“It’s already the first day but I’m already feeling overwhelmed,” said Tootoosis to reporters. “A lot of my family didn’t come today because they already felt that a decision had been made.”
Tootoosis went on to voice concern about the way the jury selection process played out.
“It was very difficult to sit there today and watch every single Indigenous person be challenged by the defence.”
While it doesn’t usually serve as a courthouse, the Alex Dillabough Centre had the look and feel of one for the day of jury selection. The venue was able to handle the large number of people called for jury duty that day.
The accused, Gerald Stanley, was present for the entire jury selection. He was officially arraigned in the morning, entering a plea of not guilty to the charge of second-degree murder of Colten Boushie, an Indigenous man from Red Pheasant First Nation.
The incident stems from Aug. 9, 2016, in the RM of Glenside, where Stanley is accused of shooting and killing Boushie on private property.
A total of 750 people were issued summons to appear for jury duty in the Stanley trial in Battleford. However, far fewer were actually in the room, with the number estimated at 225.
The process of selection began with the roll call of potential jurors. A good portion of the morning was then taken up by preliminary screening to excuse potential jurors for various reasons.
Over 50 people stood up to ask to be excused, giving reasons including medical conditions, potential conflicts of interest, family commitments, or prior commitments such as vacations booked. A large number were ruled free to go at this point.
Following a short break, Chief Justice Martel Popescul then began the process for selecting the 12 jurors and two alternates among those remaining.
Both counsel were given 14 peremptory challenges to use to challenge and exempt potential jurors. As the process unfolded, potential jurors were randomly called to the front from the jury pool, and challenges were made from time to time. Finally, the jury panel of 12 plus two alternates was selected and seated.
After a short break, the jury reconvened to hear Chief Justice Popescul give his opening instructions about the trial before adjourning for the day at 1:35 p.m.
The Stanley trial resumes on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m., with the proceedings moving over to the Queen’s Bench courthouse in Battleford.
