First photo: Nadine Gomes, judicial assistant for 2nd Circuit Judge Rhonda Loo, swears in 12 jurors and one alternate selected Monday afternoon for the first jury trial in the state since the pandemic began. Defendant Dwayne Tuck is seated behind glass across from Deputy Prosecutor Joanne Hicks, who is also behind glass. The jurors, each wearing masks, are spread at least 6 feet apart in five rows in the courtroom gallery. Jurors undergo temperature checks downstairs before being brought upstairs, three at a time, in the elevator, Judge Loo said. She told jurors they could request face shields and gloves, as well as individual hand sanitizers. The courtroom is being cleaned every morning and during lunch breaks as well as at the end of the day, Loo said. “The court has taken a lot of precautions,” said Deputy Public Defender Tyler Stevenson, who questioned some prospective jurors how they felt about serving during the pandemic. “The jurors felt pretty comfortable that the court is taking the steps with their health in mind.”

Second photo: Deputy Prosecutor Sally Tobin faces the courtroom gallery while questioning a prospective juror during jury selection Monday afternoon for the first jury trial in the state since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also in the courtroom are (from left) Nadine Gomes, judicial assistant for 2nd Circuit Judge Rhonda Loo, defendant Dwayne Tuck, Deputy Public Defender Tyler Stevenson and Deputy Prosecutor Joanne Hicks.

Third photo: Second Circut Judge Rhonda Loo talks with (from left) Deputy Prosecutor Sally Tobin, Deputy Prosecutor Joanne Hicks and Deputy Public Defender Tyler Stevenson during jury selection Monday afternoon for the first jury trial to be held in the state since the COVID-19 pandemic. Defendant Dwayne Tuck has pleaded not guilty to third-degree theft and third-degree assault in the case.