One final juror to select in Clemons death penalty case
Jury selection for the Jordan Clemons homicide trial could end as early as Tuesday as attorneys selected all but one member of the 16-juror panel.
The process began March 11 before Judge Gary Gilman and was expected to last at least one week. Attorneys began with a pool of 151 potential jurors, who were interviewed individually and asked a series of questions that touched on varying qualifications for the case, including beliefs about the death penalty, which the prosecution is seeking in the case. Twelve people will serve as jurors, with four others serving as alternates.
Clemons, 26, formerly of Canonsburg, is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend, 21-year-old Karissa Kunco of Pittsburgh, in January 2012 and dumping her body in a wooded area of Mt. Pleasant Township. Kunco was last seen alive Jan. 11, 2012. State police allege that after killing her, Clemons dragged her naked body into the woods along Sabo Road and covered it with leaves, brush and a tree stump. Kunco, whose throat was cut, had a protection-from-abuse order against Clemons.
Clemons’ trial is expected to begin May 4 and could last several weeks.
Defense attorney Brian Gorman declined to say if Clemons would testify. In the past, Gorman argued head injuries Clemons suffered while playing football and in several vehicle accidents, plus years of drug abuse, diminished his mental capacity. Any brain injury Clemons experienced could have been a factor in his ability to form criminal intent, Gorman said in court documents.
Schneider plans to call roughly 20 witnesses, including Kunco’s parents.
Clemons also faces charges from a home invasion in Canonsburg Jan. 8, 2012, and is charged with flight to avoid apprehension in connection with an alleged assault of Kunco in December 2011.
Clemons remains in Washington County jail without bond.