Nassau County, Florida – The sentencing trial of Patrick McDowell continues in Nassau County as jury selection resumes. Once a jury is selected, these individuals will determine whether McDowell should be sentenced to death or receive a life sentence for the killing of Nassau County Deputy Joshua Moyers.
McDowell had previously pleaded guilty to shooting Deputy Moyers during a traffic stop in September 2021, which tragically resulted in Moyers’ death a few days later. Now, the focus is on finding the appropriate jury to make the final decision. Jury selection began on Friday and is a meticulous and time-consuming process.
Roughly 1,200 Nassau County residents are being carefully screened by the court, with groups of 50 individuals being questioned at a time. The court aims to determine if potential jurors can objectively listen to and consider all testimony. Prosecutors only require eight jurors to agree to send McDowell to Florida’s Death Row.
During this sentencing trial, McDowell’s mental health and documented Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are expected to take center stage. McDowell’s defense attorneys plan to call upon doctors and friends from his time in the Marine Corps to provide insights into his mental state.
The media coverage surrounding McDowell’s case has been extensive, with police agencies conducting a multi-day search for him after the shooting of Deputy Moyers. In the jury selection process, potential jurors will be asked about their exposure to local news coverage and any opinions they may have formed as a result.
In a telephone survey conducted by an independent consulting firm, one participant expressed a desire to hear all the evidence, noting McDowell’s military background and the potential impact of trauma on his mental health. Another participant shared the lasting impact of the incident, stating that the sound of a train whistle causes them to reflect on the tragic event.
Opening statements for the trial are tentatively scheduled to begin on April 15th.