The numbers game

The latest tally here in Miami, thanks to Times staff writer John Frank's phenomenally detailed, meticulously kept spreadsheet: Attorneys dismissed nine more potential jurors after coming back to court from the lunch break -- in bench conferences that were still private, by the way. That leaves 39 potential jurors from the pool of 71 that made it to this second round of jury selection. This trial, of course, being a death penalty case, needs 12 jurors, and there likely will be four alternates, too.

Opening statements, obviously, can't happen before a jury is seated.

"I'd be surprised if we get one today," prosecutor Ric Ridgway said after lunch. "Pleasantly -- but surprised."

-- Michael Kruse