REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – About 200 potential jurors for the Scott Peterson (search) double-murder trial filed into a courtroom Monday to answer questions about subjects ranging from the death penalty to extramarital affairs.
Peterson could face the death penalty or life in prison if he's convicted of murdering his pregnant wife Laci and their unborn son.
The selection process began last week with prospective jurors filling out a 23-page questionnaire. It's expected to take several weeks to seat a panel of 12 jurors and six alternates.
Authorities allege Peterson killed his wife, who was eight months pregnant, on Christmas Eve in 2002 because he was having an affair with a massage therapist. Prosecutors say he then dumped the body in San Francisco Bay (search).
Peterson says he went fishing in the bay alone that day and does not know what happened to his wife.
In the questionnaire, potential jurors are asked such personal questions as whether they have lost a child and how they feel about the death penalty and extramarital affairs.
Judge Alfred A. Delucchi has told all potential jurors that they would not be asked if they had ever had an affair. He said he doubted anyone would answer honestly if they had.
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