Potential jurors discharged in Patel case

Five potential jurors are being questioned further about possible bias against Jayant Patel. Source: AAP

IN an Australian first, prospective jurors in the manslaughter trial of former Bundaberg Hospital surgeon Jayant Patel have been polled, in a bid to uncover bias.

Nine potential jurors were discharged during the lengthy selection process in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Wednesday after being asked to consider their impartiality and their ability to fairly judge the accused.

Patel has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Mervyn Morris, 75, in June 2003.

The selection process of those tasked with deciding his fate involved the jurors being sent away to complete written questionnaires designed to determine if they have any bias about the case.

The polling included questions relating to pre-trial publicity and prior knowledge of the allegations against the former surgeon, as well as the jurors' attitudes towards people of Indian heritage.

Justice George Fryberg warned all potential jurors that there had been extensive publicity around the case, and that it was imperative they be impartial and unbiased.

"I suppose few of you have not heard of Dr Patel," he said.

"The happenings at Bundaberg Hospital in 2003 have been the subject of widespread publicity, intense political controversy, heartfelt and public displays of emotion, and wide and varied attacks on a number of people.

"It is essential that every member of the jury be, and be by all fair minded people seen to be, completely impartial between the prosecution and defence."

After considering their responses to the questionnaire, the lawyers then called six jurors back into court one by one for further questioning.

At the end of the process six women and six men were empanelled.

An additional three female reserve jurors have also been sworn in.

Justice Fryberg will make his opening remarks on Friday morning, after which the crown will open its case.

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