Earlier this morning, the Judge dismissed a juror the defense had wanted, #271, a cattle and pig farmer and the only black male left in the jury pool. He had been late to court. But the prosecution struck him because he said, "I'm a mercy person...I'm not one to condemn anyone."

Opening arguments are October 11. The defense has said it may call one witness, lawyer Robert Haskell who was on the flight, who apparently has a conspiracy theory.

Haskell believes the bomb in Abdulmutallab's underwear was fake. He claims the young Nigerian was escorted onto the plane without a passport and has a strong entrapment defense. Haskell is an attorney in Taylor, a Detroit suburb.

Via @Detroitfedcourt, aka Reporter Robert Snell, who was in the courtroom: Among the exhibits the Government will introduce:

A photo of Abdulmutallab's underwear following the alleged bombing attempt, Abdulmutallab's martyrdom video, a map of Flight 253's flight path, video/audio convo between flight crew...photos of bomb remnants recovered from Flight 253 and picture of the plunger used in the bomb...

Who was struck this morning:

Gone: Juror 189: A black, female caregiver whose grandson was convicted of armed robbery. That leaves about five black women