On Thursday, as on the previous days, several potential jurors were excused because they had heard about statements Couey made to Citrus County sheriff's deputies. Those statements were thrown out because Couey had asked for a lawyer and was not provided one.

Others potential jurors were excused for different reasons.

One woman said she works at a botanical garden. She works with children so she had to be fingerprinted. That's the law since passage of the Jessica Lunsford Act.

The woman said she didn't know much about Jessie but knew the girl was slain. The death of such a young girl would be too hard for her to overcome, the woman said. She didn't feel she could be objective.

She was excused.

Per the judge's order, the names of jurors are not being released.

When potential jurors make the first cut, they are instructed not to look at media reports and to return to court for more questioning.

One woman told the judge it would be hard for her to avoid the media but she would try. She said she works at the airport and televisions are on all the time.

She works for the Department of Homeland Security.

"So you're one of those women with the wand that make us take our shoes off?" the judge asked.

"All the time," she said.

The woman was retained as one of the 37 potential jurors.

Today, jury selection takes a break of sorts. The Miami courthouse does not summon potential jurors on Fridays. The judge, therefore, will interview some of the potential jurors who made the first cut. He said he wants to ensure they have not seen any media reports about the case.

Reporter Anthony McCartney contributed to this report. Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813)259-7698 or tkrause@tampatrib.com.