Defense in transgender beating case proposes jury questions
Prosecutors say queries promote bias
* By Lawrence Buser
* Memphis Commercial Appeal
* Posted August 17, 2010 at midnight
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/aug/17/defense-proposes-jury-questions/Attorneys for a former police officer charged with beating a transgender prisoner are proposing jury questions that federal prosecutors say might encourage sympathy for the defendant.
Attorneys for Bridges Sutton McRae have asked U.S. Dist. Court Judge S. Thomas Anderson to add a series of questions to the 17-page questionnaire for prospective jurors in the trial set for Sept. 13.
Among the questions for jurors are "Do you believe being a law enforcement officer is a stressful occupation?" and "Do you believe that officers should be less fearful in the face of dangerous and/or threatening situations?" and "Do you believe that you have to wait until you are physically attacked/assaulted to protect yourself?"
