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Judge briefs attorneys on upcoming jury trial resumption in Bexar County

State District Judge Velia Meza plans to select Top 10 cases; in-person trials begin June 1

SAN ANTONIO – Anxious to begin jury trials when the moratorium on jury service ends in June, State District Judge Velia Meza met with attorneys on Tuesday who have cases assigned to her court.

Meeting remotely with lawyers and their clients on the list of the first 10 cases she plans try, Meza told them, “If you’re on this list, you’re expected to go to trial when I call you for trial.”

Meza said her criteria for selecting the cases included two primary considerations.

”It’s definitely the cases that have insisted on a jury trial since the beginning,” Meza said. “Also, we have to look at the age of the case.”

Start-up plans have been developed, refined and ultimately delayed several times in past months. Meza said that’s led to skepticism from many of the jurors in Tuesday’s meeting.

”I think attorneys, they’re going to believe it when they see it,” she said.

Under the reopening orders issued last week by Local Administrative Judge Ron Rangel, jury selection will be conducted in the huge Central Jury Room.

The trial itself will be conducted in Meza’s courtroom.

Masks and social distancing will be included in both courtrooms.

”I’m excited to have jurors back,” Meza said. “It’s been a long time.”

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About the Authors
Paul Venema headshot

Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role.

Sal Salazar headshot

Sal Salazar is a photojournalist at KSAT 12. Before coming to KSAT in 1998, he worked at the Fox affiliate in San Antonio. Sal started off his career back in 1995 for the ABC Affiliate in Lubbock and has covered many high-profile news events since. In his free time, he enjoys spending time at home, gaming and loves traveling with his wife.

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