The defense rests

[gilana]

So after lunch, they kept us waiting in the jury room while the judge dealt with an "emergency" for about an hour. Finally they called us back in and told us that the defendant had changed his plea to guilty in exchange for lowering the change from murder one to murder two -- he'll still get life, but he's eligible for parole after 15 years. He's 20 years old now. Scary. I'm really glad I don't have to be the one to make that decision about his life, after all. And work is really really glad that I'll be in tomorrow. All in all, an interesting experience.

I'd still like to actually serve some day, but preferably on a lesser charge, and for one day.

Comments

[zed42.livejournal.com]

It's not all that much fun, actually... I served a few years ago on a drug dealing case... It was fairly obvious that the guy did, in fact, deal drugs next to a school. It took 3 days to get through everything, and he was convicted in 2 hours.... and I didn't even get to do it. I was the alternate. I got to read my book while the others debated just how much of an asshole this guy was.

Anyway, next time, I'm going to say that I can't be impartial for some reason or other to avoid the whole mess...

[earthling177.livejournal.com]

Glad it was not a big deal drag for days thing. Still, I'm relieved to know that people like you are jurors, makes me feel a little safer.

[lillibet.livejournal.com]

Glad it worked out!

[gilana]

I don't expect it to be any fun at all. But I still think it would be an interesting and educational experience. Still, glad I didn't have to do it on this one.

[gilana]

Most of the rest of the jurors seemed pretty reasonable intelligent human beings as well, actually. One guy was reading Unfit for Command, the anti-Kerry book, in the jury room, and a discussion came up about Kerry. It was obvious that people had differing opinions, but managed to have a civil and intelligent discussion about it. It gave me a lot of hope.

[androidqueen.livejournal.com]

heh, that one's easy - i don't think drugs should be illegal. :)