INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The murder trial of Henry Lee Jones, who is accused of shooting and killing Brian Simpson during a home invasion in 2011, is set to begin this Friday even as attorneys continue to screen prospective jurors.
Jury selection began Monday as prosecutors and defense attorneys questioned 100 prospective jurors. Nearly 60 of them were chosen to return to court while more than 40 were told not to return.
At issue Monday was whether prior knowledge of the tragic events that led to the murder of Brian Simpson, 41, in his barrier island home in November 2011, made prospective jurors ineligible to serve.
The finding was that while the great majority said they were well-versed in details of the killing, many of those said they were still willing to set aside preconceived notions and serve objectively on the jury, realizing that the defendant was innocent until proven guilty.
Others, however, were outspoken in their insistence that Jones was already guilty and were dismissed.
Judge Robert L. Pegg said questioning of prospective jurors would continue Tuesday with 92 more people being questioned. Then, Wednesday, those still in the pool would return for refined questioning so that by 5 p.m. Wednesday a jury would be in place.
After a holiday Thursday for Rosh Hashanna, Pegg said the trial would begin Friday morning.