I was on a criminal jury in a case of armed robbery. The case took two days to present, the judge was great in explaining the law (the State had to prove 4 things, IIRC), and we took all day the next day to reach a verdict.
About six of the 8 hours was spent going over evidence. The vote in the first 5 minutes was 10-2 “not guilty”, the last two hours we spent on the two who voted “guilty”.
This is a huge case with a lot of evidence. If each juror speaks to her take on all of the evidence (which they should), it may take a while.
Anyone watching HLN? What was that lady handing out to TM supporters?
I would also add IMO that it is more likely in this case to turn a juror from Guilty to Not Guilty, after more discussion and examination of evidence, than from Not Guilty to Guilty.
Wow...the jury has been involved in a 2-3 week trial. They have had the case for deliberation less than 8 hours without a decision and now all hope is lost. Give it time. I’m still holding out that 6 jurors want to go home and will eventually convince any holdout juror to side with the majority. I just can’t believe 6 jurors will unanimously send an innocent man to prison “to get it over with.”
Opinions are very strong on both sides.I predicted a hung jury days and days ago. That would probably be the best outcome in the eyes of the State as it would diffuse the situation and delay any rioting...if there was ever going to be rioting anyway. I don’t think it was ever going to be widespread. If a hung jury is the case, I don’t believe the state will retry it.
As far as civil charges and potential lost ill-gotten revenue for the family, I think they will be told quietly that the case can’t be won on the evidence, so be happy with the million you got already.
Have never been on a jury, was called once but my life was crazy at the time and the judge excused me. I sent a letter to his office on the advice of an assistant and got a return letter saying I was excused. My mother had had open heart surgery and had an infection after. She was in the hospital on IV antibiotics. Along with surgery and the infection she spent 43 days in the hospital. The infection was in her heart and she was allergic to every antibiotic they gave her. What a rough time it was.
The trial was a federal case with the defendant a drug dealer. At least that was the only case going in federal court at the time in the news. I was relieved to not have to serve. Now, I have all the time in the world and never get called.