Jury Selection off to Slow Start in Murder Trial, by David Yonke, Toledo Blade, April 17, 2006

Jury Selection off to Slow Start in Murder Trial

By David Yonke
Toledo Blade
April 17, 2006

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Jury selection in the murder trial of the Rev. Gerald Robinson got off to a slow start today, with 30 prospective jurors interviewed by the time court adjourned at 5:15 p.m. — 20 jurors fewer than planned.

That means the process of selecting 12 jurors and 4 alternatives from a pool of 99 people will extend beyond its scheduled end tomorrow and spill into Wednesday.

Once the jury is seated, opening arguments could start the next day in Lucas County County Common Pleas Court.

Attorney Alan Konop, left, and the Rev. Gerald Robinson enter the Lucas County Courthouse on the opening day of jury selection in his murder trial.
Photo by the The Blade/Allan Detrich

Father Robinson, 68, was arrested April, 23, 2004, in the 1980 slaying of Sister Margaret Ann Pahl. The 71-year-old nun was found strangled and stabbed next door to the chapel of Mercy Hospital. The Toledo priest pleaded innocent and was released on $200,000 bond. If convicted, he faces possible life in prison.

The jurors were questioned today by Judge Thomas Osowik and attorneys for the defense and the Lucas County prosecutor's office.

Much of the questioning revolved around three points:

-- Whether serving on a trial that is expected to last three to four weeks would cause a hardship on jobs or family;

-- Whether the prospective jurors have formed an opinion in the case based on pretrial publicity; and

-- If their religion beliefs could impair their ability to be fair and impartial.

Of the 30 prospective jurors interviewed, three were dismissed today.

One was excused because of his intense Catholic loyalties. He described himself as "an old-fashioned Catholic" who finds it difficult to believe a priest could commit murder.

Another juror who said she was a strong Catholic was excused because of numerous health concerns, and a third prospective juror was dismissed because she is six months pregnant.

The jurors filled out questionnaires about their background and religious beliefs, and then were called into the courtroom individually for questioning. Each juror was quizzed for between 10 and 20 minutes.

Father Robinson wore a priest's clerical collar today and sat quietly through the proceedings. He showed little emotion most of the day, although he laughed along with most of the court when one prospective juror said it would hard not to read the newspaper during the trial because she would miss the Garfield cartoon.

The priest did not address the court but occasionally leaned over to talk with his attorneys. He is being represented by Alan Konop, John Thebes, John Callahan, and Nicole Khoury.

The assistant county prosecutors who are trying the case are Dean Mandros, Chris Anderson, and Larry Kiroff.

Father Robinson, a Toledo diocesan priest since he was ordained in 1964, was placed on leave by Bishop Leonard Blair shortly after his arrest and has since retired.

Contact David Yonke at:dyonke@theblade.comor 419-724-6154

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