I am not Juror #11. Or #41. But, hey! I am going to get a $20.00 check for doing my civic duty.
I got there on time and filled out my paperwork for 'payment'. The usual...name, address, and a multiple choice of - Do you want the entire amount of this payment mailed to you? Duh! Yes!! OR Second choice - Do you want to donate the amount of this payment to the Crime Victim's Fund? Duh! No!! And finally, Third choice - Do you want to donate it somewhere else that I already forgot? Duh!...Hell NO! You are damn right I'm selfish! And I have to wait for the check anyway. I would have taken it in quarters today if they would have offered it to me. They didn't even have any cookies! I missed Old Ladies day at Beall's! I missed Desperate Housewives this afternoon. $20.00 is a pittance for such profound discomfort!
Anyway...enough bitching. It was interesting. They called the roll first, and I'd say probably 35-40 people didn't show up. Guess what they got? A $75.00 fine! Snap!
Then, It was dismissal time. People with kids, caretakers, State/Federal employees, whatever. Then, it was lunch time and when we came back, there were 50 seated juror prospects and the balance of I'd say 50-60 more excused. I was seated. I was #11. The prosecutor for the Attorney Generals Office spoke first and tried really hard to explain his position. I don't think I would want him to EVER represent me!! He wasn't bad, just not real good at getting the information across.
Then, (lots of thens) the Defense Attorney spoke. His name is Mike Barclay, a local attorney. He is a Clarance Darrow type looking fellow. Older man, rotund and talkative. He sort of strayed off the subject by injecting some stories, but I followed his line of thinking. He asked a few people some questions and you could tell by their answers that they weren't listening to his question. Or should I say, the way he was asking the questions. I would want him as my defense attorney. It wasn't a complete 'baffle them with bullshit' issue...but more of 'think about what I just said...carefully..." issue.
For example, and I may be completely off base here, but this is how I heard and interpreted it.
"Do you think you can listen the testimony presented by the prosecution and defense, and be totally unbiased?"
I would answer yes.
"Now, If the Prosecutor presents the State's case against my client and there is perhaps the slightest bit of doubt, and remember, he must prove BEYOND a reasonable doubt that my client is indeed guilty, and I feel that there remains the slightest bit of doubt, I may decide not to present ANY evidence, witnesses or even my client on her own behalf...how would you vote? Suppose after the Prosecution rests...I, too, rest. How would you vote?"
That's a lot in one sentence. And I tried to remember it as accurately as he said it, as it was intentionally long and confusing. My opinion...not guilty. He was trying to impress that he was not obligated to have his client take the stand...at all. The lady he directed this question to, first, finally got what he was saying, but at first she said."But why wouldn't she want to be telling her side if she didn't do anything wrong? That's what I would be doing...telling everyone that I didn't do it."
Mr. Barclay said "Well, she told me". 'Nough said.
I thought that was pretty profound.
He said, " You are all here to sit and decipher the facts as presented. I am here to see that my clients rights are protected. And I am here to present her truth."
I was impressed by his statements. Whether she is found guilty or not guilty, I feel Mr.Barclay will represent her well. OK. That's all I have to say about that.
Stagecoach with John Wayne is on. I am not in the mood to read, watch TV, make anything or even look at stuff on line! I will go back to work tomorrow and start the old grind all over again. Damn!
Ate healthy 2 whole days in a row...miracle of all miracles. Tonight I am craving Jell-O. Go figure.
It's supposed to be 100 degrees on Thursday! Can you believe it...and it's only May. Spooky. I suppose I should check out some news online...I haven't seen any all day. Guess I'll sit back and relax a while. See you tomorrow...
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