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OREM, Utah (AP) -- Dozens of people reported to the courthouse to fill out a jury questionnaire in the trial of a 70-year-old woman charged with having a lousy lawn.
Just four jurors will hear the case against Betty Perry. But because of widespread media coverage about her case, the pool has been greatly expanded in 4th District Court.
Perry is charged with resisting arrest and failing to maintain her landscaping, both misdemeanors.
She was arrested July 6 after failing to give her name to a police officer who visited her home to discuss her brown lawn.
During a struggle, Perry fell and injured her nose. She spent more than an hour in a holding cell before police released her.
Prospective jurors answered 115 questions Friday to help determine whether they can serve on the jury. About 20 people were excused before getting the questionnaire.
Besides questions about news coverage of the incident, people were asked if they had bumper stickers on their car.
"Have you ever received complaints from neighbors or anyone else that your yard did not look appropriate?" another question said.
Trial is set for Feb. 11.
"We'll be reviewing the questionnaires over the next week or so to just ferret out any really obvious problems -- somebody who has a grudge against Mrs. Perry or somebody who has a grudge against government, things like that," prosecutor Andrew Peterson said.
Defense attorney Paige Benjamin said it's possible that Perry will testify.
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Information from: The Daily Herald
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
