He added that he believed the jurors had responded indirectly to the televised videotape last month of Los Angeles police officers beating Rodney King.

Prospective jurors who were asked their opinions of the case are responding with answers like the general should be hanged.

Several potential jurors have responded that they were indeed unable to push aside "30 years of history," as the lead prosecutor, Michael P. Sullivan, puts it.

In addition to the evidence, the jurors may respond viscerally and decide that Mr. Moussaoui is an odious figure undeserving of sympathy.

The jurors responded with blank faces and stony silence.

One propective juror, Brian Bollinger, a 27-year-old accountant, responded: "I would have to consider the facts, based on what was presented to me in court."

Each juror responded, with 7 of the 12 saying they had at least one relative who was Italian-American.

"With a heavy heart, yes," one juror responded.

The testimony and evidence frequently presented Ms. Lewinsky in terms that make it easy to see why the grand jurors responded the way they did.

"The jurors are responding to him well," said Mary Aronson of Aronson Washington Research.