Thread by @ChristopherJM

Good morning from Charlottesville! Today is day 3 of jury selections and at least two more jurors are needed to get this civil trial of white supremacists underway. A new panel of prospects was just brought into court to be considered. Opening arguments are set to begin Thursday.

If you're just catching up, here's my thread from day 1:

https://twitter.com/ChristopherJM/status/1452600228620685317

And day 2:

https://twitter.com/ChristopherJM/status/1452972141608148993

As you'll see in previous threads it's been hard finding qualified jurors. One thing this jury selection process has shown is how polarized we are. Listening to questioning and hearing parts of jurors' questionnaires exposes the divides. Charlottesville feels like a microcosm...

So, as we get going here, something to note: William Edward ReBrook, the attorney representing the Nationalist Socialist Movement as well as the organization's former commander Jeff Schoep, is out. he was hospitalized and hasn't returned to court. No idea what his condition is.

While I was forming that tweet, Judge Moon excused the first prospective juror brought in today due to financial hardship.

Another one is gone. This man is a nurse at a long-term care facility. Judge Moon agreed it would be a hardship for him and his residents if he were put on the jury. He's excused.

lol This guy now up says Netflix has prepared him to sit still in court for more than an hour. His employer is fine with him serving on the jury and will give him the time off, he says.

Asked if white people can be victims of racism, this juror says probably but history shows racism against minority groups "is significantly greater than what might happen to white people." He adds: "But I don't believe categorically that it can't happen."

Question from the judge that was passed by the defendants: Do you believe all lives matter? "Yes, I do believe that all lives matter," the man answers. This juror is very thoughtful and careful, taking time before he answers.

This juror says he'll have no problem ruling fairly and impartially in this case. He has somewhat favorable views of antifascists and talks about them in the context of WWII. Asked what he knows about white supremacist groups, he says he's familiar but doesn't know much.

Juror says he's confident he can put his personal views aside and "so help me god" evaluate the case fairly.

Last Q: Are you any more/less likely to believe one side or the other if evidence of BLM or antifa is present? He answers "No."

Neo-Nazi Chris Cantwell pipes up to say he wants his juror excused for cause because of his "depends" response regarding political violence Q. Judge Moon however thinks this man can be fair and will pass him. Plaintiff doesn't object and says they're ready for the next juror.

Next juror has a few jobs and says it'll be tough on him if he's chosen for the jury. Judge Moon doesn't want to dismiss him and acknowledges this sounds prejudiced but his jobs aren't like nursing. He says the man could potentially work one of his jobs in the eve if necessary.

His questionnaire says he's worried about racism but not anti-white racism. Judge asks: Is it your view white people can't be victims of racism? "It is not," he answers.

Question: When it comes to fighting fascism do you believe the ends sometimes justify the means? "I don't think so," juror responds.

He says he would be able to fairly rule in this case and any biases would not get in the way of that. Follow up: Tell us about your bias against the parties: 'I didn't agree with why they believed the (Confederate) statutes should stay.'

There's debate over this juror. Defendants argue he suffered financial losses via his business because of Unite the Right events will have that in common with plaintiffs. Plaintiffs argue he "looked Your Honor in the eye" and said he could be impartial if on the jury.

So, the court just returned from a break. The judge says the juror questioned before will pass through. Two other jurors brought up immediately after the break were quickly excused by the judge due to an injury and potential business losses.

So, a colorful debate in court right now over jurors. Cantwell pipes up to say "as a professional talk radio host" he was able to detect deception in the voice of a juror he believed to be anti-white and said he could rule impartially in the case.

Oh man, these debates are getting interesting. I think it was Karen Dunn for the plaintiffs who just asked the judge to tell the defendants not to "guffaw" in court because it's distracting.

Stepped away for a bit but here we are now with enough jurors to proceed with opening arguments tomorrow. Finally. Other debates happening in court right now with Cantwell asking to play an entire two-hour body camera video to the court in his defense. This trial could be a slog.

Oh we hear about ReBrook. He had a “common medical issue” and will need a few days to recover. Joshua Smith spoke to him. No other info. Judge says he can watch proceedings via video until he can come back in I guess.

FWIW, plaintiffs side says their opening statements will be around 90 minutes tomorrow.