KEY POINTS:
NORFOLK ISLAND - All but 17 potential jurors in Norfolk Island's historic murder trial will apply to be excused from duty.
Jury selection began today at the Norfolk Island Supreme Court, where New Zealand chef Glenn McNeill has pleaded not guilty to the 2002 murder of Sydney woman Janelle Patton.
But it could be a lengthy process, with the vast majority of the jury pool indicating they do not wish to serve.
One hundred island residents were summonsed for possible jury duty.
When the names of those on the list were called out in open court, all but 17 indicated they would seek to be excused.
Norfolk Island Chief Justice Mark Weinberg is now hearing applications from those who want to be released from jury duty.
So far, three people who knew Ms Patton have been excused.
Another was excused from sitting on the jury after she told the judge she had strong views on the case and did not believe she could keep an open mind.
Addressing the jury pool earlier today, Chief Justice Weinberg emphasised that the 12 jurors would have to decide the case fairly, impartially and unemotionally.
They would be required to base their decision solely on the evidence presented in court and to disregard any information they may have heard from the media or other sources, he said.
"You would have had to be living on another planet not to have heard anything at all about this case before," the judge said.
However, it was "essential that every member of the jury be completely open-minded about the case that they will hear and not favour one side or the other".
Chief Justice Weinberg said people should apply to be excused if they knew Ms Patton or McNeill or their family members.
If they knew any potential witnesses and would feel embarrassed about having to decide whether they were truthful, they also should seek to be excused.
The applications are being heard inside the courtroom while the remaining potential jurors, waiting in a marquee on the lawn outside, watch via videolink.
McNeill was formally arraigned before the jury pool at the start of proceedings, pleading not guilty to the murder charge.
But the process had to be repeated, this time with McNeill in the witness box rather than the dock, because those assembled could not see him on the television screen.
- AAP
