Whatever happened to '12 angry men'? I know juries have been shrunk for many lesser cases, but I thought 12 were still required for a murder trial.
This scares me. I recall reading an article not too long ago about how the mathematical breakdown worked in favor of conviction the smaller the jury was.
I found a running daily blog of the trial by Andrew Branca at legalinsurrection.com that has been really interesting to read. He's a self-defense expert of sorts, and his accounts are really captivating to read, at least to me. Certainly far beyond typical mainstream news coverage.
Every CCW in Florida should have been hoping and praying to be called for Jury duty in this case. I wonder how many of the jury have a CCW card? It should be important to have a perspective of a person that has had to undergo the same type of training and, we hope, seriously consider the responsibility inherent in carrying a deadly weapon.
What frightens me, is that in Texas, jury pools come from the voter registration rolls, so in theory, these open-minded ignorant simpletons also vote, when they've already claimed they don't pay attention to current events! Can we find out if these people are even *aware* that Florida allows CCW now? That they get their "news" from somewhere besides MTV?
I've been following http://legalinsurrection.com/tag/george-zimmerman-trial/ some and apparently this is the jury the defense wanted, if anything the state was trying to get women OFF the jury. I think when all is said and done and the evidence comes out, Zimmerman is going to walk. Thinking the day the jury comes back will be a good day to be home.
In my one attempt at a criminal jury service, I discovered that neither of the lawyers, or the judge, wanted anyone who had ever had any direct, or related, connection with a crime. I wanted to be on the jury, (short trial expected, less than one week), but I answered the question truthfully. The three of them were like a chorus, and I was hustled out right quick. Armed robbery w/knife. Looked interesting. Never been called since. Now I'm wondering if I was put on some sort of "don't select" list.
I don't know what they use in TX, but it's definitely not voter registration. My brother has had to flash his green card at least three times to get out of jury duty.
Remember, to convict there has to be a unanimous verdict.
The stereotype that jury experts sell is that women are more likely to forgive, less decisive, and "weaker" about rendering a guilty verdict than are men.
This may be a case where the stereotype is wrong. We'll know soon.
I've live in the same county since 1960. Never been called for jury duty. Wife (1987) has been called twice. Last time wife's jury included retired federal LEOs (2) a military officer. Wife told of my law enforcement background. All still ended up on jury. The ACA (Asst. Commonwealth's Atty.) blew the case by trying to overcharge the crime. In DC you use to be able to avoid jury duty by registering Republican. Wasn't until the '90s that they started seating GOP members.
Mattexian, some states now use Driver's License files. Stretch, I think that might be a local or regional thing. I'm a LEO and it kept my Dad off criminal juries, and later my wife also.
""Your contact with the outside world will be severely limited," prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda warned potential jurors last week.
Potential jurors looked surprised and glum as the details sank in. One potential juror, a woman who wasn't picked, asked whether court sessions would be held seven days a week during the trial since jurors weren't going to go home. Circuit Judge Debra Nelson said, "No."
"So everyone else will get to go home on weekends but us?" the potential juror asked.
The judge answered "yes" and tried to reassure potential jurors that they wouldn't be cooped up in hotel rooms when not at the Seminole County Courthouse in Sanford. Nelson explained that their meals, transportation and personal needs would be taken care of.
"There will be planned activities for you," the judge said.
The Seminole County's Clerk of Courts has budgeted $150 per person per day to cover room, board and entertainment for the length of the trial, said Maryanne Morse, the clerk. Given that it could last from two weeks to a month, the total cost of sequestration could range from $21,000 to $45,000. That doesn't include the cost of keeping deputies assigned to the group for security.
Court spokeswoman Michelle Kennedy wouldn't comment on the details or logistics of sequestration, or even how jurors will be spend the Fourth of July."
I recall reading just after the jury selection had been completed that because one potential juror had once held a concealed carry permit (which had lapsed without renewal) the prosecutor wanted to exclude her, but the judge disallowed that maneuver. It was on the internet, so it has to be true. Right? Kentucky Jones
Yep, and the nursing home agreed to send plenty of Depends, with the agreement no proceeding will extend into Pat and Vanna time.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy a well reasoned, judicially sound, completely nonpartisan lynching.
ReplyDeleteAnd white ones at that. In Florida, who knew.
ReplyDeletePlease don't kill me for being racists, just something I noticed.
Six?
ReplyDeleteWhatever happened to '12 angry men'? I know juries have been shrunk for many lesser cases, but I thought 12 were still required for a murder trial.
This scares me. I recall reading an article not too long ago about how the mathematical breakdown worked in favor of conviction the smaller the jury was.
I found a running daily blog of the trial by Andrew Branca at legalinsurrection.com that has been really interesting to read. He's a self-defense expert of sorts, and his accounts are really captivating to read, at least to me. Certainly far beyond typical mainstream news coverage.
ReplyDeleteIn Florida, 12 are only required for cases where the death penalty is on the table.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that all six are female and only one is not white.
I hope FL is geared up for riots if a nearly all white jury fails to convict.
ReplyDeleteRacist? No, just pattern matching.
Jury of people too dumb to ge tout of jury duty...
ReplyDeleteMC
Every CCW in Florida should have been hoping and praying to be called for Jury duty in this case. I wonder how many of the jury have a CCW card? It should be important to have a perspective of a person that has had to undergo the same type of training and, we hope, seriously consider the responsibility inherent in carrying a deadly weapon.
ReplyDeleteRemind me to NEVER get Zimmerman's Lawyer for ANYTHING!
ReplyDeleteleaddog,
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure the prosecution is working very hard to make sure there are no CCW holders, or even gun owners for that matter, on that jury.
s
What frightens me, is that in Texas, jury pools come from the voter registration rolls, so in theory, these open-minded ignorant simpletons also vote, when they've already claimed they don't pay attention to current events! Can we find out if these people are even *aware* that Florida allows CCW now? That they get their "news" from somewhere besides MTV?
ReplyDeleteAnd the jurors' names are Tommy, Tommy, Tommy, Tommy, Tommy, and Tommy, and they all play a mean pinball.
ReplyDelete6 (5?) white women sitting in judgment of, as Instapundit notes, a Hispanic "quadroon" American for killing a slightly darker African American.
ReplyDeleteWin or lose, if someone is looking to justify anything from throwing the race card to throwing a race riot they've got the justification.
The narrative was so simple once...
I've been following http://legalinsurrection.com/tag/george-zimmerman-trial/ some and apparently this is the jury the defense wanted, if anything the state was trying to get women OFF the jury. I think when all is said and done and the evidence comes out, Zimmerman is going to walk. Thinking the day the jury comes back will be a good day to be home.
ReplyDeleteZimmerman's attorney has been pretty cagy until now. Why now the gross stupidity?
ReplyDeleteIf I was Zimmerman, I'd be wondering if DHS has his attorney's phone records...
To be in the jury pool, they were all registered voters. Remember that the next time you question election results.
ReplyDeleteIn my one attempt at a criminal jury service, I discovered that neither of the lawyers, or the judge, wanted anyone who had ever had any direct, or related, connection with a crime. I wanted to be on the jury, (short trial expected, less than one week), but I answered the question truthfully. The three of them were like a chorus, and I was hustled out right quick. Armed robbery w/knife. Looked interesting. Never been called since. Now I'm wondering if I was put on some sort of "don't select" list.
ReplyDeleteAnd rioting in 3...2...
ReplyDeleteI don't know what they use in TX, but it's definitely not voter registration.
ReplyDeleteMy brother has had to flash his green card at least three times to get out of jury duty.
Remember, to convict there has to be a unanimous verdict.
ReplyDeleteThe stereotype that jury experts sell is that women are more likely to forgive, less decisive, and "weaker" about rendering a guilty verdict than are men.
This may be a case where the stereotype is wrong. We'll know soon.
I've live in the same county since 1960. Never been called for jury duty.
ReplyDeleteWife (1987) has been called twice.
Last time wife's jury included retired federal LEOs (2) a military officer. Wife told of my law enforcement background. All still ended up on jury. The ACA (Asst. Commonwealth's Atty.) blew the case by trying to overcharge the crime.
In DC you use to be able to avoid jury duty by registering Republican. Wasn't until the '90s that they started seating GOP members.
Mattexian, some states now use Driver's License files. Stretch, I think that might be a local or regional thing. I'm a LEO and it kept my Dad off criminal juries, and later my wife also.
ReplyDeleteBlind deaf-mutes who haven't had the local fishwrap read to them, or gossiped with neighbors about what things are happening in the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteThese are special blind deaf-mutes.
Reality is about to set in for the jurors:
ReplyDeletehttp://tbo.com/news/breaking-zimmerman-jury-starts-life-in-sequestration
""Your contact with the outside world will be severely limited," prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda warned potential jurors last week.
Potential jurors looked surprised and glum as the details sank in. One potential juror, a woman who wasn't picked, asked whether court sessions would be held seven days a week during the trial since jurors weren't going to go home. Circuit Judge Debra Nelson said, "No."
"So everyone else will get to go home on weekends but us?" the potential juror asked.
The judge answered "yes" and tried to reassure potential jurors that they wouldn't be cooped up in hotel rooms when not at the Seminole County Courthouse in Sanford. Nelson explained that their meals, transportation and personal needs would be taken care of.
"There will be planned activities for you," the judge said.
The Seminole County's Clerk of Courts has budgeted $150 per person per day to cover room, board and entertainment for the length of the trial, said Maryanne Morse, the clerk. Given that it could last from two weeks to a month, the total cost of sequestration could range from $21,000 to $45,000. That doesn't include the cost of keeping deputies assigned to the group for security.
Court spokeswoman Michelle Kennedy wouldn't comment on the details or logistics of sequestration, or even how jurors will be spend the Fourth of July."
I recall reading just after the jury selection had been completed that because one potential juror had once held a concealed carry permit (which had lapsed without renewal) the prosecutor wanted to exclude her, but the judge disallowed that maneuver. It was on the internet, so it has to be true. Right? Kentucky Jones
ReplyDelete