Pictured above are the three anti-nuclear weapons protesters who broke into the Y-12 National Security Complex on July 28. From left, they are Michael Walli, Megan Rice, and Greg Boertje-Obed.
There could be 70 potential jurors during jury selection for the May 7 trial against three protesters accused of breaking into Y-12 National Security Complex last summer, so supporters and reporters might not be allowed in the courtroom.
One defense attorney said there would be a problem fitting everyone into even the largest courtroom in U.S. District Court in Knoxville, but another said jury selection is part of the trial and should be open to the public.
U.S. District Judge Amul R. Thapar said federal officials may try to set up a closed-circuit television system for jury selection, which could last several hours.
“I think it’s important that it be public,” Thapar said during a Tuesday hearing.
He said the back of the courtroom could re-open once jury selection is complete.
Jury selection could begin at 1:30 p.m. May 6. The trial against Greg Boertje-Obed, Megan Rice, and Michael Walli is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. May 7 in Courtroom 1A.
Thapar said residents in the area around Oak Ridge have been excluded from the potential jury pool, although it wasn’t immediately clear what county or counties might be included in the exclusion area.
More information will be added it becomes available.
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