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On 27 Jan 2006 09:55:31 -0800, lid (Jonathan Ganz)
wrote:

In article ,
Frank Boettcher wrote:
I sat on a murder case. Sequestered and all. Never, ever again. If
I ever get called I'd rather have the judge throw me in jail for
contempt than go through that again.

What happened that was so bad?

I don't know if it is the same today but back then (mid seventies) in
Mississippi, you show up for jury duty and when selected, if it was a
case that the judge determined required a sequester order, you never
go home. They call the individual you give them to bring clothes and
personal articles, and you are essentially locked up, two to a room
(with a stranger who might be an axe murderer themselves) in a hotel
(certainly not five star) escorted to and from on a county bus. You
eat all your meals with your fellow jurors in a private room or in the
jury room if still at court. No television during the news hour,
(today that would be hard) and no newspapers. You have no contact
with anyone other than fellow jurors and the baliffs for the duration.

This trial lasted a week, and over a weekend. By the time it was
over, I didn't much care what happened to the defendant, but I was
ready to kill several of my fellow jurors.

And despite the judge very clearly defining "beyond a reasonable
doubt" a number of times it is still subjective and you always will
worry about the verdict you reach, particularly in a capital case.

It is a horrible experience that no one should have to do twice. Thus
my position, contempt of court before I go again.

Frank

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