By Missy Diaz
South Florida Sun Sentinel
August 31, 2009
·
Potential jurors in the case against a couple accused of starving an 89-year-old Alzheimer's patient to death must fill out a 10-page questionnaire before lawyers for both sides begin asking any questions.At least 120 Palm Beach County residents were given the questionnaire Monday. The form includes questions about experience as a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's disease or dementia and whether that might affect the juror's ability to fairly consider the evidence in the first-degree murder case against Kerstin and Toby Fenn.
The jury pool also will have to let the court know whether they ever have worked, volunteered or had any personal dealings with an assisted-living or nursing home facility.
More than 500,000 people are unpaid caregivers in Florida, most of them family members, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
In a trial that may last three weeks, a 12-member panel will have to decide whether the Fenns' treatment of Elly Lorey -- Kerstin Fenn's mother -- constituted murder and elder abuse or whether the couple were justified in the care they provided.
-----------------------------------------------------
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources
No comments:
Post a Comment