Oprah Winfrey a juror in Chicago murder trial

[LauraK]

CHICAGO, Illinois (Reuters) -- U.S. television talk show host Oprah Winfrey was picked to serve on a jury in a murder trial Monday, court officials said.

"It's not every day that you have a celebrity on a jury," a spokesman for the Cook County prosecutor's office in Chicago said.

For daily pay of $17.20, the billionaire Chicago resident will travel from her tony North Side apartment to the grubby courthouse on the city's South Side.

Winfrey will help decide whether Dion Coleman is guilty of shooting to death Walter Holley after a dispute over a counterfeit $50 bill Holley had accused Coleman of passing.

"I'm just hoping it doesn't take longer than a week because I've got shows to do," Winfrey told ABC-TV before she was chosen. .snip.

http://edition.cnn.com/2004/LAW/08/16/juror.oprah.reut/index.html

[Dookus]

1. I appreciate that she's

willing to do her duty here, but I wouldn't want her on any jury deciding my fate. The circus atmosphere alone would be disruptive, and her fame, sadly, could give her too much sway over other jurors.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

6. My thoughts exactly Dookus

I don't think this is a good idea for the reasons you cited above. I'm surprised she got selected

[Nambe]

2. That's cold Oprah. Letterman will eat that up!

You go Dave.

[Spinzonner]

3. I see a new fad coming

People committing crimes in order to get a celebrity on their Jury.

And, of course, a reality show.

[teryang]

4. The prosecutor and the judge have to be idiots n/t

[Markus182]

5. Bad idea

Her celebrity status has the potential to hugely sway the voters. Either they will be swayed to agree with her, or they will be so conscious of NOT being swayed by her that that they will disagree with her whatever the merits of the case. Either way, she could potentially disrupt the judicial process (through no fault of her own, but she shouldn't have been picked).

[SemperEadem]

7. I'm surprised the defense attorney didn't dismiss her

during voire dire. I would have--she's too much of a distraction. And Oprah can't stand it if she's not the center of attention.

[bear425]

8. As someone who has served as a juror...

I feel very upset for her. It is really one of the worst things I have ever had to do. I neither envy her, nor the other jurors. Determining guilt or innocence will ultimately decide the fate of another human being; it is an incredibly daunting task. I am sure, though, that Ms. Winfrey will take on the responsibility with thoughtfulness and care.