Staff Reports

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Jury selection stretched into a second full day Tuesday in the murder trial of Leon and Tanya Tripp, charged in the 2017 death of 16-year-old Janell Carwell.

Attorneys and the court continued working through panels of prospective jurors in Richmond County Superior Court, dismissing multiple individuals who acknowledged prior knowledge of the case, personal involvement in community search efforts, or already-formed opinions about the defendants’ guilt.

The process has underscored both the high-profile nature of the case and the difficulty of finding jurors who have not been touched in some way by the nearly nine-year-old case. Several potential jurors openly stated they had reached conclusions about the Tripps and were excused. Others cited connections to witnesses, age, work conflicts, or personal reluctance to serve.

At times, it was clear many prospective jurors were uneasy about serving on what is expected to be a lengthy and emotionally charged trial. The court is working to seat 12 jurors and three alternates, but the repeated dismissals and candid admissions of bias have slowed the process.

With additional questioning scheduled for Wednesday, opening statements are now anticipated to begin Thursday morning at the earliest.

The trial comes nearly nine years after Carwell was reported missing on her 16th birthday in April 2017.

Prior GCG Coverage: 

Janell Carwell Murder Trial Set to Begin After Nearly Nine-Year Delay – Special Coverage from GCG!