Jury Duty

I served as jury foreman on the trial of 2 thugs who murdered Dr. Michael Groll, a leading infertility specialist, on New Year's Day 1986.

Didn't realize the extent of the legal system until I was chosen to serve. I was at first excited. Hey I was chosen, blah, blah, blah. Then it hit me. The trial was to begin in mid June of 1986. I already had orders to be up in Ney York City for the Statue of Liberty rededication celebration. I contacted the judge and told him that I WOULD BE GOING TO NYC. That there was nothing keeping me from that once in a lifetime opportunity. Judge said that he was pretty sure the trial would be over in enough time.

So on we go. We were sequestered for the entire time. Newspapers were chopped apart, we had a sheriff with us 24/7. We could watch TV but we learned real quick to turn the channel if a news brief came on. We stayed 2 to a room in the local hotel. We could eat what ever we wanted off the menu but could only consume 2 alcoholic beverages at night during the meal. We paid for the beverages but everything else was free. It became a game to us to see what time the trial would begin each day. We had a pool set up at 5 cents per person. The entire jury and alternates sat together until it was time for the actual deliberations when the alternates had to leave. We were instructed to not discuss the case except in the courthouse. Yeah right !!! We re-enacted the crime in the hotel rooms according to testimony.

We only heard about 1/2 of what was recorded in the local newspapers. Everytime something big happened, there was an objection and we were ushered out of the room. The arguments were heard and then we would come back in and be told a synopsis of what occurred. 1 poor kid celebrated his 21st birthday with only 2 beers !!!!! After a week of testimony, we were set for deliberations. We were getting close on Friday so we stayed late. But then told the judge we thought we could finish on Saturday. He agreed but now that meant that they would ALL have to come back on Saturday morning when the courthouse is normally closed. We sure messed up everybody's weekend plans. But hey we couldn't do what we wanted because we were sequestered, so screw them all. Couldn't do it by lunch time Saturday so we were instructed to try again on Monday. That afternoon, the tipstaff pulled me to the side and said that he could probably spring for a case of beer and pizzas if I thought the rest of the jurors would agree and we could relax a little better. So off I go in a sheriff's vehicle to the beer store. I sat in the front BTW. I'm no dummy so when he said 1 case, I got the biggest cans I could. Too bad they didn't have 30 packs back then !!!!

Finally we compromise on a verdict on Monday but wait......we now have to deal with the penalty phase since this was a 1st degree murder conviction. Another 2 days and we were finally done. Woo hoo.

But I was told that I will never be on another case like that again because I have learned too much about the legal system in a capitol murder case and would be tainted. OK by me. Received a notice 3 years later and it was a civil suit involving a car crash. Too easy for me. I had a lot of explaining to do with the other jurors teaching them about collision damage.

Next summons I ignored. When contacted by the courts, I told them that at the time I was scheduled to appear, I was fixing the local police department vehicle and I thought that was more important. If I ever see another summons, unless it is sent certified with return receipt requested, how will they know that the mail was delivered ????



Rick

Richard S. wrote: It sucks but it's your duty, suck it up and go do it.

I have gone around 5 times, and I'm only 39, every 3 years I get the letter. Some one elses turn. If everyone did five, that would average five lawsuits for every adult . I have never been sued, nor sued anyone, nor had any crimes commited on or by me. The law says you have a right to a jury trial, not to pick 9 out of 50 that see the same dumb as* way that they do. Not that I want them to serve, but my parents have never sat in for jury duty, and my wife once, why must I do 5+++++, when does it end ?????? I KEEP MY NOSE KLEEN, IF OTHERS THAT HAVE A PROBLEM KEEPING THEIR NOSE KLEEN WOULD HAVE THEIR NOSE CUT OFF, THE PROBLEM WOULD STOP.

Like Rick said...if it doesn't get handed to me by a officer, I never saw it. Don't wanna,can't make me.

I've been on Jury Duty five times, called six. Last time I was called up for a little question & answer thing they do & I had written that I have a hearing loss. It was winter & the radiator was thumping away in the back of the room. The attorney asked if I could hear it, I calmly said wait a minute & took a battery pack out & started to change a battery. The guy tapped my hand so I would look at him & he spoke loud & slow that it was OK & I was excused. Haven't been called since.

I have Jury Duty coming up real soon.

It always amazes me that so many self proclaimed patriots that go on & on about the freedoms that this Country offers and the Constitunality of the good old USA get so creative when it comes down to poop or get off the pot. Like WN & the Mayor said, it's a duty as a citizen to do Jury duty ocassionaly. So just man up & do it. I've been called 4 times in my life, let go twice--served twice. I think in NYS it's every 6 yrs???

In Allegheny County where I used to live & serve jury duty I hated it, Pittsburgh was & is a filthy city IMO, couldn't even hope to find an overpriced place to park so it was public trans., pay your fare & a little over an hour later you were there, don't know how many times after I had been picked to serve I would get there & it was postponed. The system works against itself.

.Here in the "big City" they have a system where you get the notice to appear via the mail but it says to call the night before to see if they really need you. You have to call them for a week to see if you're needed the next day. It's nice because the notice gives you time to make the arrangements you need to halt you daily routine but most likely you'll not need to use them. I've been called twice but twice I've been told not to bother. Just by responding to the notice you get credit for serving on the jury but no pay. They won't call again for a couple of years. It seems to work out ok

freetown fred wrote:It always amazes me that so many self proclaimed patriots that go on & on about the freedoms that this Country offers and the Constitunality of the good old USA get so creative when it comes down to poop or get off the pot. Like WN & the Mayor said, it's a duty as a citizen to do Jury duty ocassionaly. So just man up & do it. I've been called 4 times in my life, let go twice--served twice. I think in NYS it's every 6 yrs???

Thats fine if you could dictate day, your retired, or have a union job that will compensate you, or your on unemployment.

If your running a business to feed your family and everyone depends on you too eat, i think i care more about putting food on the table.

If i got sequestered lost 3 months of income to sit in on some o.j type *censored* and he gets off i would be going ape *censored*.

ValterBorges wrote:

freetown fred wrote:It always amazes me that so many self proclaimed patriots that go on & on about the freedoms that this Country offers and the Constitunality of the good old USA get so creative when it comes down to poop or get off the pot. Like WN & the Mayor said, it's a duty as a citizen to do Jury duty ocassionaly. So just man up & do it. I've been called 4 times in my life, let go twice--served twice. I think in NYS it's every 6 yrs???

Thats fine if you could dictate day, your retired, or have a union job that will compensate you, or your on unemployment.

If your running a business to feed your family and everyone depends on you too eat, i think i care more about putting food on the table.

Couldn't have said it better Valter. It's a financial nightmare for me when it happens. I'm self employed and my work has to be scheduled about a week ahead of time. Maryland uses the same system that lowfog described. If I knew it was going to be Monday, I could deal with that. But being on the hook for a week does not allow me to earn money for the week. It's a huge burden to bear on my finances.

Exactly lets give the criminals milk and cookies, and put the guy whos paying for the milk and cookies out of business.
The lawyers and bureaucrats make out either way.

I've always gotten a couple weeks notice as to jury duty. Geeze guys, that's terrible about running your own business & not having a soul to cover if an emergency should happen. Thank God I just farm & don't have a soul I would trust enough to cover my ass. It's our responsibility to do this thing. Quit your whining. This is one of our American way things. Nobody said it couldn't be a burden, but, it's one of the things that makes this Country what it is.

The way I see it. We pay for the welfare folk to sit at home and watch Judge Judy, Judge Joe Brown etc.
Let them get off the couch and contribute something! They have nothing but time.

Probably on a 50" fancy ass tv that we've bought them. BUT, that's not really the point is it? All I can do is vote for who I think is going to be a help to this Country, not a hinderance,plus, keep my own yard straightened up & pass it along to my kids & friends & yes, that would include jury duty, understanding Memorial Day, the 4th of July, the true meaning of Christmas. We do what we can do within our powers.

freetown fred wrote:I've always gotten a couple weeks notice as to jury duty. Geeze guys, that's terrible about running your own business & not having a soul to cover if an emergency should happen. Thank God I just farm & don't have a soul I would trust enough to cover my ass. It's our responsibility to do this thing. Quit your whining. This is one of our American way things. Nobody said it couldn't be a burden, but, it's one of the things that makes this Country what it is.

Fred, I'm a one man business. I AM the business. There is no one to "fill in." And if there were someone, then they would get paid and not me. I know farming is a hard way to make a living but missing a week probably doesn't have near the impact it has on me. Your corn still grows. I lose 25% of my monthly income. Whining? Yea, I guess so. But I've been called enough to see that our justice system is a joke and a game, dealing with maggots that should already be in jail.