Laura Jean Ackerson -- Deceased 7/13/11 -- Grant and Amanda Hayes Charged With Murder

Amanda Hayes trial in murder of Laura Ackerson begins in Raleigh

Updated at 04:37 PM - 1/21/2014

WTVD - Raleigh, NC


RALEIGH (WTVD) --  Jury selection began Tuesday in the trial of Amanda Hayes - who is accused in the murder and dismemberment of Laura Ackerson.

Snipped:

Amanda Hayes spoke to the judge about the case before jury selection began. He asked Amanda if she had discussed her attorneys' strategy of blaming the murder completely on Grant.

Judge Donald Stephens: "Do you feel like that's in your best interest?"

Amanda Hayes: "Yes, sir."

Stephens: "Okay. Do you authorize them to advise the jury of that fact?"

Hayes: "I entrust my attorney to do whatever he feels is right."

Read more and view video:

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9401682

tweets from Wes Wolfe (reporter - Kinston Free Press - Kinston, NC):

5 hours ago:  

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports  5h  
Word from bailiff is another huge group of jurors is coming in. Get to stay this time. #ackerson

2 hours ago:

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports  2h  
And that's court for today. No jurors dismissed so far. Just working through the process. #ackerson

Source:

https://twitter.com/WolfeReports
Twitter - Wes Wolfe reports

@Ann - TX:      Thank you so much for all the updates!  Much appreciated!

yvw, Curious.

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 10h I get a two-hour delay at court tomorrow, right? Driving home 10-15 mph under the speed limit was weird enough tonight. wrote:

https://twitter.com/WolfeReports

Jury selection begins in Hayes trial

By  Wes Wolfe / Staff writer
The Kinston Press - Kinston, NC

Published: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at 16:03 PM.


RALEIGH – The first group of prospective jurors took questions Tuesday in the case of Amanda Perry Hayes allegedly murdering former Kinston resident Laura Jean Ackerson.

In all, five white men, five white women and two black women sat in the jury box as state prosecutors filled them in on the basic details of the case and began to ask questions about their backgrounds and perspectives.

But before the attorneys had their shot, Wake County Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens asked if anyone heard about the case through the media. About half the jurors raised their hands.

Read more:

http://www.kinston.com/news/local/jury-selection-begins-in-hayes-trial-1.265678

tweets from Wes Wolfe (reporter - Kinston Free Press - Kinston, NC)
(oldest tweets to most recent order):


Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports  43m  
Juror No. 9 is missing, but we're going on. One-on-one questioning starting. #ackerson

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports  37m  
Juror No. 1 says he needs to be let off of jury for an extreme hardship to his employment & disturbing details of case. #Ackerson

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports  27m  
Juror No. 1 also notes he has a medical condition that would impair his ability to serve. #ackerson

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports  27m  
...and, Juror No. 9 arrives. #ackerson

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports  24m  
Juror No. 1 dismissed for cause. #ackerson

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports  20m  
Juror No. 2 works at a store visited by Hayes after the #Ackerson murder. Said he saw a lot of news coverage.

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports  14m  
Juror No. 2 stays. #ackerson

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports  13m  
Juror No. 3 is a Boston Bruins fan. So there's that. #ackerson

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports  11m  
Juror No. 3 stays. #ackerson

Source:

https://twitter.com/WolfeReports
Twitter - Wes Wolfe @ Wolfe Reports

Note: You can monitor future tweets from Wes Wolfe at the above Link.

@Ann - TX:

Thank you so much for all the information and updates about this case.

  

https://twitter.com/WolfeReports

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 15m

...and her mother lived in Scotland. She went to boarding school in England when she was 11. At 16 she moved to NC. #ackerson


Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 17m

Replacement Juror No. 9 exercises with a family law attorney. RJ9's parents got divorced when she lived in the Bahamas when she was 5...

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 30m

Replacement Juror No. 9 stays. Has daughter who's friends with a violent crime victim. #ackerson

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 31m

Replacement for Juror No. 4 stays. #ackerson


Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 38m

First replacement juror tossed -- she knew too much, naturally formed opinions. #ackerson


Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 43m

That interview with Grant Hayes got a WRAL reporter on the Amanda Hayes trial witness list. #ackerson

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 1h

HAHAHAHA. Wake County attorneys are charged an extra $20 by the bar association to outfit Justice Center with free WiFi.

https://twitter.com/WolfeReports

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 7m

Replacement Juror No. 12 stays. Young white female out, middle-aged white female in. Defense questions next. #ackerson

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 12m

Replacement Juror No. 12's phone goes off. The phantom vibrate.

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 5m

For those who care, replaced white male with white female, black female with black female & white female with white female.

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 34s

Second replacement Juror No. 1 stays. Before, misidentified her as RJ9. State dismisses Juror No. 12. #ackerson

Twitter:

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 5m

The racial and gender diversity in the 11 replacements brought in far outweighs the 12 in the box.

Ales, yvw.

Freckles, thanks for the updates.

This is the telephone interview Grant Hayes had from prison with a WRAL reporter in Jan, 2014.
~~~~~

Video (audio of Grant Hayes) -- 35:46
Web only: Phone interview with Grant Hayes

http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/13308159/
WRAL- Raleigh, NC -  January, 2014

Grant Hayes, who was convicted of murder in the July 2011 death of Laura Ackerson, discusses the case in a Jan. 17, 2014, telephone interview from prison, days before his wife goes on trial for murder in Ackerson's death.
Friday - 3:50 p.m.

Hi, Ann. I see no more updates at this time.

Ann - Tx wrote:
This is the telephone interview Grant Hayes had from prison with a WRAL reporter in Jan, 2014.
~~~~~

Video (audio of Grant Hayes) -- 35:46
Web only: Phone interview with Grant Hayes

http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/13308159/
WRAL- Raleigh, NC -  January, 2014

Grant Hayes, who was convicted of murder in the July 2011 death of Laura Ackerson, discusses the case in a Jan. 17, 2014, telephone interview from prison, days before his wife goes on trial for murder in Ackerson's death.
Friday - 3:50 p.m.

Interesting but a fabrication. I could drive a semi thru his story and I don't drive!
Re the money: Hayes states they agreed upon 25 thousand for Laura to drop the suit.
Where was the money?
Where did he get the money?

Amanda elbowed Laura in the throat and Hayes states she Laura was dead when he tried to lift her up.
I call BS on that! Like to know how many people actually die after being elbowed ONCE in the throat.

Hayes states his son little Grant was present!!! So where was the boy when Hayes sawed up the body of Laura?

Like to know the physical heights of the three parties....

Also, why would Laura have tried to snatch away a contract she supposedly willingly signed?
Why would Laura have tried to grab the contract or Amanda's child?

Hayes keeps harping on his trying to protect his "wife."
He seems to forget his prior relationship with Laura.
He forgets Laura BELIEVED she had been MARRIED to Hayes all those years because Hayes had told her he had filed the papers, etc., whereby they were legally married. So why did he not protect his FIRST wife? Yeah....

Hayes states Amanda HAS told the truth "...but just not to the right people..." Right.... BS on that.

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 1h

Justice Center's wifi got wonky again and I was cut off at the end. Defense worked through Jurors No. 1-6 in group intvw..

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 1h

...and will start with Juror No. 7 Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. Follow @BCHanks for Thursday's action. I return Friday

Per above tweet, Wes Wolfe said to follow BC Hanks on Twitter on Thursday and Wes will be back on Friday.


Here's the Link to Hanks' twitter account:

https://twitter.com/BCHanks
Twitter - BC Hanks

This tweet from Brian Hanks made me laugh:    

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks  11h   (11 hours ago)
RT @WolfeReports Judge Stephens' two-hour lunch routine would be much better if I had a bed at the Justice Center.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks  8h   (8 hours ago)
RT @WolfeReports That interview with Grant Hayes got a @WRAL reporter on the Amanda Hayes trial witness list. #Ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 28m

In Courtroom 704 of the Wake County Justice Center for Day 3 of Amanda Hayes murder trial. She's been seated at defendant's table

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 27m

With @WolfeReports getting a well-deserved day off, I'll be tweeting all day as the jury for Amanda Hayes murder trial is selected

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 27m

Need to catch up on Amanda Hayes murder trial? Read @WolfeReports outstanding reporting here: http://www.kinston.com/news/local/four-potential-jurors-replaced-in-hayes-trial-1.266386?tc=cr …

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 21m

Jury has returned to courtroom; Hayes defense team returns to questioning jury members #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 17m

Juror No. 7, a white male, tells Hayes defense team his ex-wife was very deceptive and took money from him; after divorce, he testified ...

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 16m

... for his ex-wife's next husband about the case. #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 3m

@kerfaffle courtroom has FREE wifi (!) & I'm using phone, iPad AND laptop #gettingmymoneysworth

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 26s

Hayes defense moves to Juror No. 8; white female who is an oncology nurse attached to Rex Hospital #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 18m

Juror No. 8 asked if she's ever met a pathological liar; she answers yes, husband of former coworker who served in Afghanistan #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 16m

Juror No. 8's testifies that friend who was married to pathological liar had 2 wives at the same time; "he was very charismatic ..."

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 15m

... "He was just a homeboy from Tennessee." Juror No. 8 says friend's ex-husband concealed second marriage for 14 years #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 8m

You are very welcome RT @ChellySouthWest @BCHanks Thanks for reporting from courtroom from your friends at WebSleuths.

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 6m

When she was younger, Juror No. 8 was a paralegal specializing in medical cases in Charleston, S.C. #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 4m

Sidebar: first time I've covered questioning of jurors in a murder trial; very, very interesting. It's more of a relaxed setting

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1m

Juror No. 9, a white female who holds masters degree in accounting; has son and 2 daughters, the youngest a student at a Wake Co. HS

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 25m

Juror No. 9 asked if she's familiar with sociopaths, she said she's read a book recently about the subject #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 24m

Juror No. 9 gets laugh from judge and courtroom when asked if she's known anyone to be deceitful; her answer: "Teenagers" #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 20m

Juror No. 10: white female born in Panama, but has spent her life in U.S.; works with veterinary pathology journals #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 15m

Juror No. 10: "I've probably known a lot of sociopaths, but didn't know it." Draws laughter from courtroom #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 12m

Juror No. 11, black female, admits she is a fan of "Murder She Wrote." #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 5m

Juror No. 11 is divorced because her ex-husband had an affair for indeterminate time #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 5m

Juror No. 12 has bachelors degree in psychology: however, "I must've missed the day we talked about sociopaths" #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 3m

Juror No. 12, white female, has two children - 17 y/o who lives with her, 14 y/o who lives with child's father #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 2m

Juror No. 12 was threatened by anonymous female caller from a blocked number a few years ago; filed police report but suspect never found

Curious, thanks for all of the tweet updates.

Brian is doing a great job of tweeting.

I won't be able to be here today. Look forward to updates later tonight.

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 2h

Individual questioning of jurors has now ended #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 2h

Group question to jury: "Anyone who has extensively traveled?" Jurors 1 (W/F), 2 (W/M), 3 (W/M), 4 (B/F), 5 (W/F), 6 (W/M) answer yes ...

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 2h

Other 6 jurors also have traveled extensively; Juror No. 3 was once a snowmobile racer #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 2h

Amanda Hayes and her defense team now huddling at their table to discuss the jurors and their answers #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 2h

Jury heading back to jury lounge for 20-minute break, but defense wants to talk to Juror No. 7 individually #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 2h

Defense asks Juror No. 7 about his familiarity with media coverage; he said he remembers watching it on @WRAL. #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 2h

Defense: "Do you have too much information to sit as a juror in this case?" Juror No. 7: "I don't know how much is too much" #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 2h

Juror No. 7 "I know (Grant Hayes) was convicted." #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 2h

Defense: "Did you hear the name, 'Amanda Hayes?'" Juror No. 7: "I can't say I know any of the detailed facts of the case" #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 2h

Individual questioning of Juror No. 7 has ended by defense; defense team huddling again #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 2h

Court is in recess for next 10 minutes or so. #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

ALERT: Judge tells 9 seated jurors the Hayes murder trial is set to start Monday at 9:30 a.m. #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

Judge dismisses the 9 seated jurors and the process begins to replace the 3 jurors that were dismissed #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

3 potential jurors being briefed by prosecution: No. 7 (formerly W/M) is W/F; No. 9 (formerly W/F) is W/F; No. 10 (formerly W/F) is B/F

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

Mother of Juror No. 7, white female, worked for state attorney general's office; however, J#7 said she can be unbiased #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

Juror No. 10, black female, has been married 4 months; she admits there would be stress with husband if she can't talk about case with him

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

Juror No. 10 says she was falsely named in a class-action suit against her sorority; incident was in 2010, papers served in 2012 #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

Juror No. 10 said there was a death in her Delta Sigma Theta sorority at ECU, she was falsely named in suit; she was not in school at time

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

Juror No. 10's best friend/maid of honor was recently promoted to position of homicide detective with Wilson Police Department #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

Juror No. 10 says she can be fair if selected to the jury #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

Lots more questioning of Juror No. 10 from prosecution: a LOT of spousal abuse in her family history #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

Juror No. 10 becoming emotional as she recounts a cousin who was murdered; his case is still open #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

However, Juror No. 10 still says she can be a good juror in this case. Judge talking to her now #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

Judge to Juror No. 10: Can you make a fair decision in this trial despite your cousin being the victim of homicide? J#10: Yes. #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

Juror No. 10 reveals she makes more money than her husband in her job, so there might be some financial concerns if she serves on jury

Justin Hill ‏@mjhill 1h

Watch out for anyone who wants to be on a jury. “@BCHanks: Juror No. 10 still says she can be a good juror #ackerson”

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

Back to Juror No. 7: UNCW accounting grad, now works with children at YMCA #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

Juror No. 7's parents divorced when she was 4. She lived with mom, her brother lived with mom #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

Juror No. 9 is ECU grad (nursing) and New York native. She works in neonatal intensive care; her husband of 31 years is a photographer

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

Juror No. 9 served on a jury "13 or 14 years ago" in Wake County where someone was rear-ended #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 1h

Juror No. 9's father suffered a brutal mugging around 40 years ago #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 55m

Prosecution addressing jurors 7, 9, 10 with general questions at the moment. #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 54m

SIDENOTE: My stomach just grumbled so loudly that everyone turned around and the judge looked up #mybad #hungrylikethewolf

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 52m

Jurors 9 & 10 sent to jurors room; Juror No. 7 now looking at witness list. Potential jurors sent to juror's lounge to get lunch #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 51m

Juror No. 7 "caught blurb on TV about" Ackerson murder; didn't know Grant Hayes was convicted #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 49m

Juror No. 7 watches ABC-11 in the morning; for weather and traffic. "I hear about murders, but I'm just trying to get ready for work"

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 46m

Juror No. 7 sent to juror's lounge; Juror No. 9 called into courtroom by judge/prosecution #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 46m

Juror No. 9 remembers Grant Hayes was a musician, coolers containing body parts found in Texas #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 45m

Juror No. 9 is a daily newspaper reader, but doesn't remember much about Amanda Hayes other than she recently had a child #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 44m

Juror No. 9 admits she heard news report Sunday about jury selection for this trial; saw picture of Amanda Hayes in newspaper #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 42m

Juror No. 9 recognized @wral's Amanda Lamb and Dr. Deborah Radisch's from potential witness list #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 38m

Juror No. 9 sent back to juror's lounge; Juror No. 10 now at-bat. Final juror to be questioned by judge/prosecution in this round #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 37m

Juror No. 10 talks to her mom "a lot. She introduced me to the reports about Grant Hayes trial." #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 35m

Juror No. 10 said she knows Grant Hayes was found guilty and pretty much everything else about his trial #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 35m

PREDICTION: Juror No. 10 will not be seated on the Amanda Hayes jury. TOO many personal issues; she knows A LOT about the case #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 32m

Juror No. 10 admits she has already reached opinions about the case and it would possibly change her opinion. Judge dismisses her from jury

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 31m

Court has been recessed until 2:15 p.m. #ackerson

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 31m

Quick reset: 9 jurors seated for Hayes murder trial, 2 to be cross-examined by defense, 1 has been excused. Back on your timeline at 2:15

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks · now

QUICK RECAP: Judge says Amanda Hayes murder trial will begin Monday, Jan. 27 at 9:30 a.m. 9 jurors have been seated, potentially 2 more


Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks · 22s

Back in Courtroom 704 at Wake County Justice Center for Part 2/Day 3 of jury selection in Amanda Hayes murder trial

https://twitter.com/BCHanks

Thank you for all the updates, CP!

  

Thank you for the up-dates here CP.
They are keeping juror #9?

@Ann - Tx, Alessandra, One:  You're very welcome!

One, from what I read, I think they are keeping #9 at least for the time being.

All of the following tweets are from @BCHanks (Bryan Hanks)(deleting his name from each one to save space):

With just judge, prosecution & defense in courtroom, prosecution reveals they've received some jailhouse calls CD from Women's Prison ...

... but the CD is encrypted and they can't listen to it. Judge notes it for the record, says they'll deal with it later #ackerson

New potential Juror No. 10, white female, led into courtroom. Judge now asking her questions #ackerson

Juror No. 10 not aware of Grant Hayes being tried last year, never saw/heard of him or Amanda Hayes in any media #ackerson

Juror No. 10's daughter's fiancee "traveled in the same circles" as Grant Hayes #ackerson

Prosecution now questioning Juror No. 10, who is low-talker and has been asked by court reporter to speak up 3X #ackerson

Juror No. 10 has been married before and is currently in process of getting second divorce #ackerson

Juror No. 10 has four grown children; one daughter experienced domestic violence from a boyfriend #ackerson

In 2006, Juror No. 10's daughter was kidnapped by ex-boyfriend, who was later shot and prosecuted #ackerson

Juror No. 10 says daughter's fiancee may have played at same club or had dinner with Grant Hayes. "I can't remember the context" #ackerson

Juror No. 10 will forever be etched in my mind as this (as she's asked to speak up AGAIN by court reporter) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ziqc6uOIrZc …

If y'all see me wearing a puffy shirt tomorrow ... well, now you'll know #butidontwanttobeapirate

Juror No. 10 has now been dismissed. And the prosecution has also dismissed Juror No. 9. We'll have two more candidates coming in shortly

Potential new jurors brought into courtroom; Juror No. 9, black female, is in jury box; Juror No. 10 taken back to jury room #ackerson

Juror No. 9 gets quick prelim questions from judge, now she's sent back to jury room while Juror No. 10 is brought to the jury box

Previously, Juror No. 10 told judge he couldn't serve because of job concerns - he works 10-12 hours a day and his family's sole provider

Juror No. 10, white male, tells judge, "I do believe there will be an issue; I work extra hours to pay my mortgage and car payment"

Juror No. 10 moved to Raleigh 2 years ago and says he is very familiar with entire Grant/Amanda Hayes case. #ackerson

Juror No. 10 "I have a preconceived opinion about this case." Judge excuses him from jury duty. We'll get another prospective No. 10

Prospective new Juror No. 10, black male, receiving preliminary questioning from judge #ackerson

Juror No. 10 says he read a newspaper account Sunday or Monday of Grant Hayes saying the murder was not Amanda's fault #ackerson

Juror No. 10: story he read told him Grant's wife killed his ex-wife and he helped her. J#10 believes Grant Hayes because of story

Another Juror No. 10 is released. Sigh. #ackerson

OBSERVATION: I thought it'd be a layup to seat the entire jury today, especially with 9 already done. However, it's appearing unlikely .

... it'll happen today. Prospective jurors aren't even making it past preliminary questioning now. #ackerson

PROPHETIC RT @AmandaWrites No. 10 clearly does not want to be on the jury.

Prospective Juror No. 10, white female, has entered the courtroom and is receiving preliminary questions from judge #ackerson

Juror No. 10 has NO knowledge of Grant or Amanda Hayes, Grant's trial or anything related to Laura Ackerson's death

Potential Juror No. 9 now joins Juror No. 10 in jury box. Now past the prelim questions from judge, both getting questions from prosecution

Juror No. 9, Latino female (corrected from earlier), is a paralegal who helps those with immigration issues #ackerson

Juror No. 10's sister is a probation officer in Wake County; has one friend who is member of Raleigh PD, friend who quit RPD in 2010

Juror No. 9 doesn't "really look at news sites or TV." She looks at Internet daily on her Yahoo email page, doesn't watch TV crime dramas

Both of Juror No. 10's parents were flight attendants; when they divorced, she started living in Raleigh. Works at Quintiles

Juror No. 10 is Peace College graduate, has been married for 4 months; husband has been Raleigh firefighter for 12 years #ackerson

Although Juror No. 10's husband is firefighter, she has no contact with members of police department #ackerson

Juror No. 10's birth father gave up custody of her and her brother after divorce; her stepfather formally adopted them #ackerson

Juror No. 10 doesn't have cable TV; she predominately watches Netflix for entertainment #ackerson

Juror No. 10's cousin recently shot in the head; he's currently at home recovering. Not known who shot him

Prosecution tells No. 9 & 10 to ignore all social media, especially Twitter and Facebook #ackerson

Prosecution ends its questioning of Jurors No. 9 and 10. Ten-minute break coming, followed by defense questioning of No. 7, 9 & 10

Break is over, defense prepping to question prospective jurors no. 7, 9 & 10 #ackerson

Defense tells jurors 7, 9 & 10 is facing 2 charges -- first degree murder, but also accessory after the fact #ackerson

Juror No. 7 and her mother both received jury summons on same day. J#7's mom, though, not part of this pool #ackerson

Juror No. 7's mother is a construction lawyer; J#7: "I could hear her talking about it when I was little, but it was boring."

Mostly uneventful questioning of Juror No. 9; Juror No. 10 coming up #ackerson

Juror No. 10 said her ex-husband was a sociopath; they were married for 9 months after living together for 2 years. #ackerson

Juror No. 10's ex-husband cheated on her and stole money from their joint bank accounts #ackerson

Defense team huddling after finishing questioning of Juror No. 10. And when I say "huddling," I mean ... huddling. #ackerson

ALERT: The jury in the Amanda Hayes murder trial has now been finalized. #ackerson

Amanda Hayes murder trial jury consists of six white females, three white males, two black females, one Latino male #ackerson

Alternate jurors will be selected beginning at 9:30 a.m., Friday. There are only 3 remaining jurors in original pool; 25-26 in 2nd pool

Judge: At least 3 alternate jurors will be selected on Friday from the original and secondary pool #ackerson

@One - It looks like #9 was replaced, but it's very confusing because they keep re-using juror numbers.

Bryan Hanks ‏@BCHanks 2m

Correx from earlier: Amanda Hayes murder trial jury consists of six white females, three white males, two black females, one Latino female

Curious, thanks for all of the updates. Ales, too!

Alternate jurors still needed in Amanda Hayes murder trial

Posted 5:46 p.m. today - 1/23/14
Updated 5:59 p.m. today - 1/23/14

WRAL - Raleigh, NC





Raleigh, N.C. — Wake County prosecutors and defense attorneys had seated 12 jurors by Thursday afternoon in the first-degree murder trial of Amanda Hayes and still must choose three alternate jurors.

Opening statements could begin as early as Monday.

Read more:

http://www.wral.com/alternate-jurors-still-needed-in-amanda-hayes-murder-trial/13323441/

~~~~~~~~~~

The victim, Laura Jean Ackerson:



~ ~ ~  Justice for Laura Jean Ackerson! ~ ~ ~  

Ann - Tx wrote:
Curious, thanks for all of the updates.  Ales, too!

You're welcome!

Jury selected in Hayes trial


Amanda Hayes confers with one of her lawyers, Johnny Gaskins,
during jury selection of the trial for the murder of Laura Ackerson
at the Wake County Justice Center on Thursday.
Bryan C. Hanks / The Free Press


By Bryan C. Hanks / Editor
Kinston Free Press - Kinston, NC

Published: Thursday, January 23, 2014 at 19:37 PM.


RALEIGH – After three full days of questions and answers, the Amanda Hayes murder trial finally has a jury.

The trial – expected to last four to five weeks – also has an official starting day and time.

Snipped:

The jury consists of nine women – six white, two black and one Latino – and three white men. After the first nine (jurors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11 and 12) were finally vetted and approved by the prosecution and defense teams, it took nearly all afternoon to pick the final three jurors.

Snipped:

Today, the three alternates will be selected, beginning at 9:30 a.m. There are only three candidates remaining from the original jury pool, but Judge Stephens told the court there were 25 or 26 potential jurors in a secondary pool.

Read more:

http://www.kinston.com/news/local/jury-selected-in-hayes-trial-1.267015?page=1

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports  2h  
Attorneys in the Amanda Hayes murder trial are selecting alternates for the jury today. #ackerson

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports  2h  
I'm in the office, but will be in Raleigh for opening arguments Monday morning. #ackerson

Source:

https://twitter.com/WolfeReports
Twitter - Wes Wolfe

Thank you CP. #9 from yesterday was replaced and boy am I glad.
Now if the weekend would pass quickly, lol.

Opening statements to begin Monday in Amanda Hayes trial

Posted: Jan 26, 2014 3:12 PM CST
Updated: Jan 26, 2014 6:07 PM CST

WNCT - Greenville, NC


RALEIGH, N.C. -
Opening statements are expected to begin Monday in the trial of a Raleigh woman accused of killing her husband's ex-girlfriend.

Amanda Perry Hayes, 41, is charged with first-degree murder in the July 2011 death of Laura Jean Ackerson. Ackerson was the ex-girlfriend of Hayes' husband, Grant Hayes, who was found guilty last year in Ackerson's death.

Read more:

http://www.wnct.com/story/24551674/amanda-hayes-trial-to-begin-monday

I have been unable to find an article or tweet from mainstream media which states that the Alternate Jurors were selected by Friday evening (1/24/14).

If they have not been selected, obviously Opening Statements won't begin first thing Monday morning.

I hope the NC media will do an update Monday morning.

Ann - Tx wrote:
I have been unable to find an article or tweet from mainstream media which states that the Alternate Jurors were selected by Friday evening (1/24/14).

If they have not been selected, obviously Opening Statements won't begin first thing Monday morning.

I hope the NC media will do an update Monday morning.

I found this tweet this morning:
-----
@courtchatter

Attorneys in the #AmandaHayes murder trial couldn't settle on all 3 alternate jurors today so selection will continue Monday
-----

Also found this:


Amanda Hayes
Amanda Hayes trial expected to begin Monday
The murder trial of a woman accused of the death and dismemberment of her husband's former lover is expected to begin with opening statements Monday afternoon in Wake County.

That statement came from: http://www.wral.com/amanda-hayes-trial-expected-to-begin-monday/13325393/

Amanda Hayes trial expected to begin Monday
Posted January 24  Updated 12:04 a.m. today

Snipped:
-----
By late Friday, Wake County prosecutors and defense attorneys had seated 12 jurors and an alternate. They were expected to finish jury selection, adding another two alternate jurors, on Monday morning.

WRAL.com will provide live video of the trial daily once it begins.
-----
(BBM)

Read more:  http://www.wral.com/amanda-hayes-trial-expected-to-begin-monday/13325393/

----------------------------

I'll keep checking throughout the morning and will post updates as I see them.

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 46s

Opening arguments haven't started yet. The wheels of justice grind so, so slowly. #ackerson

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 5m

Opening arguments to begin at 2 p.m. Whee. #ackerson

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 7m

Must not have selected the alternate jurors Friday if we're doing that today. On Alternate 3 currently. #ackerson

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 24s

And, we're done with the alternates. #ackerson

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 3m

Wonky Justice Center wifi on the fritz again. Hopefully it'll be back up for the start of opening arguments. #ackerson

Wes Wolfe ‏@WolfeReports 2m

A juror's employer asked the court to release her from the jury. If that happens, we'll replace her and pick another alternate. #ackerson

Curious, thank you so much for the updates.

WRAL will be live streaming with opening statements as you know.

Jury seated in Amanda Hayes' first-degree murder trial

Posted 12 minutes ago
Updated 2 minutes ago
January 27, 2014

WRAL - Raleigh, NC


Raleigh, N.C. — After five days of jury selection, opening statements are expected Monday afternoon in the first-degree murder trial of a Raleigh woman accused of killing of her husband's ex-girlfriend more than two years ago and dumping her dismembered body in a Texas creek.

Snipped:

Court was in recess until 2 p.m., when it will reconvene and take up a matter involving one of the jurors, whose employer wrote to the court saying her absence would be a hardship.

Opening statements could begin after that, but a time has not yet been set. WRAL.com will provide live coverage of opening statements once they begin.


Read more:

http://www.wral.com/jury-seated-in-amanda-hayes-first-degree-murder-trial/13331441/

This is the Link to WRAL's homepage.  They usually have a place at the top where you can click on for the "live stream" of a trial.

http://www.wral.com/
WRAL- Raleigh, NC  -- Homepage


I need to go somewhere so it appears if the opening statements start this afternoon, I will have to watch via the archives later tonight.

Perhaps someone will post a direct link if the "live stream" starts later today.

Court is suppose to be back in session at 2 pm EST.  Almost that time!