A REAL "activist" judge -- silencing FBI-skeptic juror in Philly

[scoopmeister]

http://www.pnionline.com/dnblog/attytood/archives/001779.html

This probably isn't what Tom DeLay, John Cornyn, Bill Frist and all the Sponge Bob haters had in mind with their verbal jihad about "activist judges." However, such judges do exist -- there's one here in Philly!

And what is his "activism"? Well, it seems to be actively making sure that we never have a juror who harbors (gasp!) doubts about the U.S. government.

If you're reading this in Philly, you probably know that we're talking about U.S. District Court Judge Michael Baylson (R-Prosecution), who this week ordered the public flogging of removed a 57-year-old Frankford juror in the high-profile Philly corruption case.

[jojo54]

1. Yeah, it's gonna cost the taxpayers a lot of money

I'm in S Jersey, so we get all the Phillly news.

She didn't want to go along with the zombie minded conservative jurors, so after 12 days of deliberation, it has to start all over again. Krips, how long will it be before freedom of opinion is wiped from the constitution?

[Mandate My Ass]

2. Yo, South Jersey!

We sure have some tough judges. My sister got reprimanded by a judge one time when she had jury duty for saying something along the lines of what this woman said. He asked her if she would consistently take the word of a police officer over a defendant and she said "not necessarily" and rather than let the prosecutor cut her, she had to sit and listen to his tirade in front of the whole courtroom.

[jojo54]

3. I was facing criminal jury duty here, about 10 years ago

and person after person stood up saying they couldn't afford to take off work for jury duty. Mine was the same reason - sorry but when every penny counts, $50 (or whatever it was) doesn't equate to $100 per day in my book. This judge finally got frustrated and said (not verbatum) "Everyone who can't afford to take part in this jury, stand up". Well, I think he about left a skid mark in his drawers when he saw 3/4 of the room stand. He then said, "Don't you people have savings?" Someone said (this was for real) "No your honor, I don't make $120K a year". Laughter everywhere but the judge didn't look so happy.