
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, November 9, 1993                   TAG: 9311090234
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MANASSAS                                LENGTH: Short

JURY QUESTIONS ENOUGH TO MAKE SOME BLUSH

Prospective jurors in the John Bobbitt sexual assault trial were asked how much they knew about the highly publicized case and whether they could put their opinions aside.

The prosecutor, Prince William County Commonwealth's Attorney Paul B. Ebert, also asked potential jurors Monday if they had problems with the unusual charge brought against Bobbitt. The 26-year-old ex-Marine is charged with marital sexual assault.

"Does the wife have no right to say no?" Ebert asked a pool of 30 possible jurors.

Other questions from the judge, the prosecution and the defense included:

Have you heard of the case?

Do you have opinions on the outcome of this case?

Do two wrongs make a right?

Has John Bobbitt already been punished?

Can rape occur without evidence of severe injury?

Can you freely discuss the personal or sensitive elements of the case?

Do you know that Lorena Bobbitt is also charged with a crime?

Can you be patient with Lorena Bobbitt, who is nervous and does not speak English fluently?

Can you be fair to John Bobbitt, who may mumble on the stand?

Are you a member of any support or advocacy group affiliated with the case?

Have you ever counseled rape victims?

Judge LeRoy F. Millette Jr. selected the panel of nine women and three men after excluding some jurors who said they had strong opinions about the case. Millette also excluded a woman who said she would be embarrassed to discuss the sensitive details of the case.

by CNB