Attorneys Agree On 9 Jurors In Kerrick Trial

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CHARLOTTE, NC — After four days of questioning by the state and the defense, both sides have agreed on nine men and women who will decide Wes Kerrick’s fate.  The CMPD officer is charged with voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell in 2013.  

WCCB Charlotte’s Amy Cowman has more on what happened inside the courtroom Thursday.

The state had the chance to first strike the jurors they did not want.  They used three of their strikes, leaving ten women and two men.  

Then the defense took to intensive questioning, getting into some more details of what their self-defense argument will be, asking jurors if they have ever had someone break into their home or knock on their door late at night.  The defense also told the jury evidence will show Jonathan Ferrell drank alcohol and smoked marijuana that night, and asked them if that would impact their verdict either way.

In questioning, the state reminded jurors sympathy for Kerrick and him possibly having to go to jail cannot impact their decision.  The defense in return told them they cannot let sympathy for the Ferrell family losing a loved one impact the verdict either, nor should they decide based on any emotions that the graphic crime scene and autopsy photos of the victim might cause.  The jurors ensured they would not.

The defense also used three strikes and took three women off the jury, leaving seven women and two men, and three more seats to fill, plus four alternates.

The judge also reversed his prior ruling about releasing the answered jury questionnaires to the media.  He said due to juror concern and safety, those will no longer be made public.

The nine jury members include an Hispanic woman, two black women, four white women and two white men.