Potential jurors to be interviewed one at a time

An orientation for potential jurors will be Oct. 3.

YOUNGSTOWN — Potential jurors will enter the courtroom one at a time, not as a group, to be interviewed by the lawyers and by Judge R. Scott Krichbaum in the death-penalty murder trial of Michael A. Davis.

The Mahoning County common pleas judge made that ruling Friday in a pre-trial hearing for Davis, who goes on trial Oct. 6.

Such individual questioning of jurors is common in death penalty cases, said Robert Jackson, jury commissioner.

Davis, 18, of Bennington Avenue, who remains jailed without bond, was charged under a 29-count aggravated murder and aggravated arson indictment with setting a Jan. 23 East Side house fire that killed six people.

Besides Carol Crawford, 46; her daughter, Jennifer R. Crawford, 23; and Jennifer’s four children, Ranaisha, 8; Jeannine, 5; Aleisha, 3; and Brandon, 2, died in the Stewart Avenue blaze.

The judge also announced that each side would have six peremptory challenges, meaning each side has the right to excuse six jurors without giving a reason. Legally each side is entitled to excuse an unlimited number of jurors for good cause.

An orientation for potential jurors in this case is set for Oct. 3.

Judge Krichbaum said Davis may appear in civilian clothes and without visible restraints in any proceedings before the jury, unless his behavior dictates restraints.

The judge also said no exhibits are to be shown to the jury until he rules on their admissibility outside of the jurors’ presence.

The judge also ruled that experts hired by the defense may visit Davis in jail.

Judge Krichbaum also sustained a series of defense motions for disclosure of the prosecution’s evidence and witness lists.

J. Michael Thompson, assistant county prosecutor, said the prosecution has provided the defense with all available photos and documents concerning the case.

The defense lawyers are James Gentile and Ron Yarwood.