Sullivan County Court Faces Hurdle in Selecting an Impartial Jury for Megan Boswell’s Trial
Sullivan County, Tenn.—In the ongoing high-profile case of Megan Boswell, the court is grappling with challenges related to jury selection, and it has faced another significant development. During a recent hearing, Judge James “Jim” Goodwin emphasized that the court must first attempt to form a jury from Sullivan County before considering other options.
Boswell, who appeared in Sullivan County court on Thursday, is facing multiple charges related to the tragic death of her toddler, Evelyn Boswell. The case has drawn widespread media attention, leading Boswell’s defense team to argue that finding an impartial jury locally would be extremely difficult.
The defense has filed motions seeking either a change of venue or a change in venire, aiming to bring in a jury from a different county. They believe the extensive publicity around the case has already influenced potential jurors, making it hard to find an unbiased panel. “I want a fair jury. I don’t care if we pick it here, Memphis, or Knoxville,” stated Boswell’s attorney, Gene Scott. “We want a jury that will come into it with an open mind.”
According to Judge Goodwin, the appropriate course of action is to attempt to select a jury from Sullivan County first. “I think that the process we’re required to do is attempt to pick a jury in Sullivan County before making a ruling on whether or not we go to another county,” Goodwin said during the hearing.
Prosecutors, represented by Deputy District Attorney William Harper, are optimistic about their chances of finding a fair jury locally. Harper mentioned that surveys conducted earlier supported their belief that an impartial jury could indeed be found within Sullivan County. “We’ll have a pretty good idea once we get started whether it’s going to be fruitful for us to select a jury here,” he explained.
Both sides stress the importance of an unbiased jury, particularly given the severity of the charges. Boswell faces multiple counts, including first-degree murder, stemming from her toddler’s death. Evelyn’s body was found in Blountville in March 2020 following an AMBER Alert and extensive searches. The indictment alleges that the killing was premeditated and intentional.
Scott and the defense remain firm in their belief in Boswell’s innocence. “Once this case is tried, we’ll prove her innocence,” Scott said confidently. Despite the gravity of the charges, he expects a favorable outcome for his client.
The trial is expected to last about three weeks to a month, adding another layer of complexity to the selection of a jury willing to be sequestered for an extended period. Goodwin aims to have a jury selected by mid-December, but should the court fail to find impartial jurors locally, the selection process will move to another similarly sized county.
Joining the defense is retired Drug Enforcement Administration agent Michael Templeton, who has worked on the case for over a year and a half. Templeton firmly believes that pre-trial opinions should be set aside, as only a limited number of people have actually seen the evidence. “There’s only a handful of people who’ve seen the evidence in this case, maybe six, no more than 12, and that’s on both sides,” Templeton said.
Templeton echoed concerns about public bias against Boswell and expressed optimism that she will be cleared of the charges. “It’s our belief that at the end of the day, she’s going to be found not guilty because there’s evidence that’s just been misinterpreted by both the DA and the TBI.”
The case has seen considerable delays, partly due to changes in Boswell’s legal representation. In October 2022, her then-public-appointed lawyer, Brad Sproles, filed a motion to withdraw due to a deteriorated relationship, hindering proper defense. Scott was appointed thereafter.
The next court date is set for November 1, 2024, where more developments in this already intricate case are expected. The court’s efforts to ensure a fair trial, amidst challenges in finding an impartial jury, continue to be closely watched by those following the case.
To sum up, finding an impartial jury for Megan Boswell’s trial remains a significant hurdle, but both sides seem committed to ensuring that justice is served meticulously.
