Curious: How Many Here Have Actually Served On A Jury ? [View all]

[GGoss]

I don't mean being called in for jury duty, I mean sat as a juror for an actual trial for more than a day or two ?

I have one time, and it was a murder trial. It was as serious as it could possibly be.

I ask, because I am amused at the outrage of some, regarding the Georgia Grand Jury Forewoman.

When they say "Jury of Your Peers", they ain't kidding.

When I went in to our assigned trial, we were informed that the Death Penalty had been taken off the table, so the maximum sentence we could hand down would be Life in Prison.

Most, not all, of my fellow jurors were annoyed at the whole thing. They wanted to hurry things along, kept looking at their watches, and scribbling in their day planners. We were given several verdicts and penalties we could deliver, the majority jumped at the harshest without consideration, just to get the thing done with. Like THEIR time was being wasted.

During the breaks, I would find a place to smoke a cigarette and decompress. A couple times the Judge, an elderly Black Man, would be there smoking along with me and a few others.

I knew we couldn't talk about the trial "ex parte" or whatever the rule is, but... I did ask him what he thought about the jury system.

I came to believe he noticed my exasperation, and smiled and said, "It's a jury of one's peers, and as flawed as it is, it's still the best way to justice."

So I'm gonna give Emily from Georgia a break here. They don't prepare you for dealing with a case with such historical implications, or the press, or some idiot with a knife or a gun.

I hope she stays safe, and I appreciate her service to the State of Georgia, and to us all.