LACONIA, N.H. — Jury selection for the retrial of Hassan Sapry is entering its second week, as court proceedings continue at Belknap County Superior Court. The selection process fell short of completing the jury by Friday, prompting all parties to reconvene on Monday.
As of Friday afternoon, attorney Jeffery Strelzin, representing the State of New Hampshire, stated that 13 jurors had been secured. The jury will ultimately comprise 16 members, with 12 serving as primary jurors and four as alternates, when the trial commences on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
Sapry, 27, faces nine counts, including first- and second-degree murder, connected to the 2019 death of Wilfred Guzman Sr. Each indictment represents an allegation, and he remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Defending Sapry are Mark Sisti and Amy Ashworth from Sisti Law Offices. The prosecution team, in addition to Strelzin, includes Alexander Kellermann. The burden lies with the state to establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Sapry committed the alleged offenses. Should the prosecution succeed, defense attorneys plan to assert a “not guilty by reason of insanity” claim, which they will need to substantiate.
During the jury selection process, 31 candidates were excused, while two were dismissed by the prosecution. Reasons for dismissal varied, with some potential jurors expressing concerns about their ability to remain impartial due to previous biases against individuals from Iraq or those practicing Islam.
Other candidates faced logistical challenges, including financial strains linked to jury service, lack of childcare for an anticipated three-week trial duration, or medical issues affecting themselves or family members. Despite these hurdles, Belknap Superior Judge Elizabeth Leonard engaged jurors, clarifying aspects of the insanity defense and encouraging them to consider their ability to judge impartially.
One juror was reminded by Judge Leonard that the defense would need to demonstrate that any criminal actions stemmed from mental illness. Throughout the selection period, which began on Aug. 11, a recurring theme has emerged concerning jurors’ discomfort with the concept of insanity as a legal defense.
The continued selection process reflects the complexities of both the case and the community’s concerns regarding fairness and equity in the justice system. The jury selection will ultimately shape the trajectory of the retrial as the court prepares to address the serious charges against Sapry.
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