One woman said she couldn't serve because no one would care for her pet ferret while she was gone.

She was excused.

Added to the pool Tuesday were a pair of school workers, a corporate lawyer, a retired librarian and an architect.

Prosecutors have charged Couey with kidnapping, raping and murdering 9-year-old Jessica Marie "Jessie" Lunsford in early 2005 in Homosassa. The trial was moved nearly 300 miles to Miami because of publicity about the case in Central Florida.

If convicted, Couey, 48, faces the death penalty.

Once a jury pool is selected, a second round of questioning will begin that will focus on the potential jurors' opinions of the death penalty.

The pool will be reduced to a panel of 12 men and women and several alternates who are expected to hear graphic testimony of how Jessica died. Jurors will be sequestered for the trial, which is expected to last two to four weeks.

Citrus County Circuit Court Judge Ric Howard ordered court to begin a half hour early Tuesday in order to interview more people. He also kept court in session for nearly an hour after the 5 p.m. cutoff, when most Miami-Dade County courts recess so people can slog through Miami traffic.

Howard said the long hours had him tired by the end of court Tuesday, but he ordered everyone to return Wednesday for another early start.

Reporter Anthony McCartney can be reached at (813) 259-7616.