Defense attorneys for Judge Wade Naramore of Hot Springs, facing a misdemeanor negligent homicide charge in the hot car death of his 18-month-old son, asked a judge today for permission to file a pleading under seal that pertains to jury questioning.

The lawyers say they want to ask for a jury questionnaire and “extended voir dire,” or questioning of the jury. But that motion will include exhibits that could influence the jury pool if revealed in advance and encourage them to tailor answers. The motion is necessary “due to Mr. Naramore’s role as a public official and the high level of publicity associated with his case. The anticipated motion and memorandum in support thereof will include, as exhibits, several news articles and comments from social media users reacting to those articles.”

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It was revealed yesterday that the defense intends to call an expert witness on “forgotten baby” cases and his theory that brain conditions can cause a person to forget a child is in a car, with tragic results. That’s what apparently happened in the Naramore case last July. The child was in his car on the way to work and he forgot remembering only on his return from lunch on a hot day. By the time police were called, the child had died.

The trial is scheduled to begin June 14. The prosecution has asked for a delay. The defense has objected and wants to argue the issue Friday.

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