First of all they knew this was going to be the case. Secondly it does not negate their responsibilities as jurors. A friend of mine was on a murder case. She was shocked and angered by some juror’s attitude. They wanted to go home, a lot of fighting in the room and power plays going on. She always wanted to serve on one, but would eat glass before doing it again. The stress was overwelming she said.
Most people work very hard to avoid being on a jury. How many of those condemning these folks have lied to get out of jury duty themselves?
I was absolutely dreading being a juror when I was picked to sit on a murder case. Thankfully my fears where misplaced. The case was in Maryland and while not a DP case the defendant did face life in prison.
The defense wanted me on the jury most likely thinking I could possibly be swayed as I was in my early twenties, in college and had virtually no experience with crime or the courts. Thankfully the other jurors were diligent, paid attention to the deliberations, followed the judges orders and listened to both sides arguments. When the time came to deliberate we took a test vote, 10 for guilt 2 against. At that point our foreman had the panel go through the evidence and we argued it out. Even before closing arguments I was sure of guilt, the evidence was overwhelming, I was a bit shocked 2 people would see it differently.
Only a few hours later we had an unanimous verdict, guilty of 1st degree murder and lesser charges.
Two years ago I was again picked for jury duty in Miami. A civil case involving a car accident. In that case I was voted in as the foreman. During deliberations one of the jurors wanted to know why there was no DNA that we could watch and see what had happened. She believed DNA was like a DVD that could be put into a player to watch. Unbelievable.
Your friends feelings are completely understandable. I would also rather eat glass then go on to another jury. Or as I say, I’d rather scrub a man’s prison with my own toothbrush then do it again. If I’m called I will go but I’ll dread every minute.