Jury selection goes into day three in Weiland trial
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(ABC 6 News) – Thursday was day three of jury selection for the trial of 22-year-old Devin Weiland. He is facing several charges of attempted murder, and assault with a dangerous weapon.
Weiland’s charges stem from a 2020 standoff where Weiland allegedly barricaded himself in an Albert Lea apartment complex and fired at police and bystanders from above.
The court is asking jurors to take up to three weeks off work for the trial. The state and defense have noted the time frame is making it difficult to pick a jury that can be fair and focused on the case.
Multiple potential jurors questioned mentioned that they are worried about how much money they will lose not going in to work.
Most of the pool of potential jurors also mentioned they have already been exposed to the case from either media coverage, word of mouth, or proximity to the crime.
Some potential jurors Thursday had to be excused because they had already formed opinions about Weiland’s guilt.
Grant Sanders, one of Weiland’s defense attorneys, told the group that the extensive media coverage was one of his “fears.”
The court will continue with jury selection Friday morning, then move on to opening arguments.