SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — Jury selection in the "naked fat test" trial continued Thursday with attorneys asking potential jurors direct questions, offering a glimpse into how the case may be tried. Former North Kingstown High School basketball coach Aaron Thomas is on trial for one count o f second-degree child molestation and second-degree sexual assault. He's pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the criminal case first brought in 2022 is scheduled for opening statements on Monday. On Thursday, the third day of jury selection, attorneys for both Thomas and the R.I. Attorney General's Office continued to whittle down a pool of potential jurors at Washington County Superior Court. They're seeking to empanel 12 jurors and two alternates by Friday. The jury pool started at about 200 people on Tuesday when they were asked to fill out a lengthy questionnaire about their background, professional histories, families and certain aspects of the case. By Thursday, the pool had been whittled down to roughly 60 people, who were asked a variety of questions in open court before Superior Court Judge Melanie Wilk Thunberg. John MacDonald, an attorney for Thomas, asked potential jurors questions about whether they could put aside their feelings about whether the former coach's past behavior was inappropriate and decide the case based on the letter of the law. Former student athletes have accused Thomas of getting them alone behind closed doors where he directed them to get naked. Thomas would then conduct fat tests on their bodies and ask them to do other physical tests while undressed. Exclusive: Former NK students share stories of trauma from naked ‘fat tests’ MacDonald does not dispute that some of the former students were naked or that the testing happened. But his strategy is to show the jury that the the behavior, while potentially inappropriate, wasn't criminal. "Can you separate whether or not you agree with the testing and if it was criminal?" MacDonald asked potential jurors. MacDonald also acknowledged that a false statement Thomas made to detectives in the past would likely come up during trial, and he asked whether potential jurors would take that information to completely discount the defendant's credibility. The defense team has said it may call Thomas to testify himself in the case, which isn't required in criminal trials. Attorneys said that decision would be made later in the trial, and they may be looking for jurors who could look past any false statement he made in the past. Meanwhile, Assistant Attorney General Tim Healey, one of the prosecutors in the case, asked potential jurors whether they knew any of the witnesses expected to be called in the case. He asked about people's children, whether they played sports and how their relationships were with coaches. Healey also asked if potential jurors watched TV shows such as CSI, Blue Bloods and other police or court procedurals. If so, he'd ask them if they understood whether those shows were fictitious, while real court proceedings are deliberate and take time and don't always rely on forensic evidence. "These cases are not just tried and solved in an hour," Healey explained. The questions play into the fact that much of the prosecution's strategy will depend on witness statements, along with supporting evidence such as police reports, interviews and expert testimony. That differs from a case involving DNA or fingerprint evidence, which is often included in a show like CSI. ‘Meet me in the closet’: Former RI students recall naked fat tests in 1990s The defense and prosecutors took turns removing from the panel potential jurors who they likely thought might not be impartial, or had a history that might play against their legal strategy. During the process, Thomas sat quietly at the defense table taking notes and conferring with his attorneys. In the event both sides can agree on a jury by Friday, opening statements are slated to begin Monday. The prosecution is expected to call about 20 witness, including nine former students, along with experts, police and school officials. The defense is expected to call between five and seven witnesses, including former students. The testimony is expected to last two weeks. Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook. Tim White (twhite@wpri.com) is Target 12 managing editor and chief investigative reporter and host of Newsmakers for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and Facebook. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media:                     Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW ...read more read less