Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes (center) arrives at federal court in San Jose, California on Aug. 31, 2021. [Photo by David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
The jurors who will weigh the evidence for and against Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes were sworn in Thursday, setting the stage for the federal fraud trial to finally begin.
The twelve jurors — seven men and five women, all residents of California’s Santa Clara County — were selected along with five alternates (two men and three women) after two days of questioning by federal prosecutors, Holmes’ defense team and U.S. District Judge Edward Davila.
Potential jurors were asked how much they knew about the disgraced CEO and her company’s implosion to determine whether they could give her fair, unbiased consideration.
“There’s not that many women that get to become CEO of a high-powered company,” said one potential juror who expressed disappointment in the scandal, CNBC reported.
The jury pool was also asked to share whether they knew any of the many witnesses who may be called to the stand, whether they had any bad medical experiences, or been exposed to domestic abuse, according to the New York Times.
Holmes’ defense team has accused her former romantic partner, Sunny Balwani — who was also president and chief operating officer of Theranos — of “intimate partner abuse.” Balwani has denied those allegations and pleaded not guilty to the criminal fraud charges he will face after Holmes’ trial.
The questionnaire for potential jurors also asked whether they, family members or someone close to them worked in finance, investing, health insurance, healthcare, blood testing or pharmacology. The questionnaire also listed specific journalists, books, podcasts and documentaries that focused on Theranos to gauge their awareness of Holmes and her company, and shared the list of potential witnesses to determine any personal connections.
Holmes faces 20 years in prison on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud for allegedly misleading investors about the viability of her blood-testing business. She has pleaded not guilty.
The trial is expected to last four months and is scheduled to start on Sept. 8.