NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – Jury selection resumes Monday in Nassau County for Patrick McDowell’s sentencing trial.
Once a jury is seated, those men and women will determine whether McDowell should get the death penalty or receive a life sentence for killing Nassau County Deputy Joshua Moyers.
McDowell pleaded guilty to shooting Moyers during a traffic stop in September 2021. He died a few days later.
Finding the right jury to decide McDowell’s fate is both meticulous and time-consuming — and it’s for good reason. Jury selection started Friday.
- The court is screening roughly 1,200 Nassau County residents
- They’re questioning them in groups of 50
- Working to find out if they can fairly listen to and consider all testimony
Prosecutors only need eight jurors to agree to send McDowell to Florida’s Death Row.
His mental health and documented Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is expected to be front and center during this sentencing trial.
His defense attorneys are on tap to call doctors and friends of his from the Marine Corps.
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After shooting Moyers, McDowell became front-page news while police agencies searched for him for days.
A portion of the screening will involve asking potential jurors what they’ve seen and heard from local news coverage.
In a telephone survey conducted by an independent consulting firm, people gave the court some insight. One person responded, saying:
“I would like to hear all of the evidence, because I had heard that Patrick McDowell had been in the Army and had some trauma from his time in the service, resulting in problems such as PTSD and other mental health issues.”
Another person told the survey group:
“I live in the area where this all happened. Every time I hear the train whistle blow, I think about it.”
Opening statements are tentatively set to start April 15.
