A large number of jurors is expected to descend on the Wayne County Courthouse Monday as one of Wayne County’s biggest trials begins as the August trial term heats up.
Court administrator Linus Myers said the courthouse will handle over 100 jurors on both Monday and Thursday next week to begin the jury selection process in the murder trial of Jeffrey Plishka.
Because the trial is a death penalty case, jurors will be asked voir dired separately.
This is done to determine if each juror can remain unbiased in making a decision and to determine each juror’s opinion on the death penalty.
There were 750 juror requests sent out for the August trial term, but the number is lower because of statutory excuses, including military, pre-paid vacations, medical excuses and age, Myers said.
Honesdale Deputy Police Chief Joe LoBasso said police are not anticipating any problems, regarding traffic or parking, due to the fact that not all jurors will are brought in at the same time.
Wayne County Sheriff Mark Steelman said courthouse security will be increased for the highly-anticipated homicide trial.
Myers said security and safety will be a main concern when the jurors travel to Tanners Falls Road in Dyberry Township.
In May, Judge Robert Conway approved a motion filed by the District Attorney that will bring the jury to the spot on Tanners Falls Road where police discovered the body of murder victim Laura Ronning in 1991.
DA Michael Lehutsky said that it is important for the jurors to understand the typography of the area which will be mentioned during the trial.
Jury selection will start Monday and continue until 16 jurors are chosen. The court will break up the large groups of jurors each day into smaller groups for questioning.
Jury selections are open to the public.
