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To: eno_
Years ago I was selected to do Federal Jury duty in Boston. The Federal Judge was Walter Skinner.

Judge Skinner asked if anyone wanted to be excused. There were about 74 jurors in the courtroom. There were only about 6 people who went to the bench because you could write in for two weeks prior to that reporting date and give a reason to be excused.

I heard the reasons given by a couple of people ahead of me and Judge Skinner said they were excused pending verification of their reasons to be excused.

Now comes my turn. I get in front of Judge Skinner and ask him if we would be trying anyone for income tax evasion. He says that is a possibility. I say I could not render an unbiased verdict in that type of case. He asks me why.

Now understand the bench is about 4 feet wide between us so I lean forward and say: There is no way I am going to find anyone guilty of tax evasion when one of the richest men in the country, the Vice President, Nelson Rockerfeller only paid $900 in federal taxes last year.

Judge Skinner glares at me and then I say out loud "The federal system of taxation SUCKS.

All hell broke loose with that remark. The two proscecutors behind me, jumped me -the man in charge of seating the jurors in the jury box jumped the rail and grabbbed me - the police grabbed me. There were about a dozen people who had me pinned against the bench in front of Judge Skinner.

Judge Skinner leaned over and said. "It's to bad you feel that way."This man is not excused he will be on jury duty! He kept me on jury duty for 6 weeks. I got thrown off every case by the proscecutors, that I was selected to be on.

It was an interesting 6 weeks. I had to report every Monday and then got bounced by the proscecutors. - tom

17 posted on 08/09/2003 2:25:40 PM PDT by Capt. Tom (anything done in moderation shows a lack of interest -Capt. Tom circa 1948)
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To: Capt. Tom
Excellent!

I'd have stayed in the pool and shut up, and cost someone their tax case had I been on the jury.

But your experience shows the truth: the government is the enemy.
18 posted on 08/09/2003 2:29:37 PM PDT by eno_
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To: Capt. Tom
Good Story. LOL
21 posted on 08/09/2003 4:56:07 PM PDT by VRW Conspirator ( Ink by the barrel? - Bah, electrons are limitless!)
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To: Capt. Tom
. The two proscecutors behind me, jumped me -the man in charge of seating the jurors in the jury box jumped the rail and grabbbed me - the police grabbed me. There were about a dozen people who had me pinned against the bench in front of Judge Skinner.

That was quite unfair. Only 12 against you?

Obviously they needed more guys. :-)

23 posted on 08/09/2003 5:20:03 PM PDT by lowbridge (You are the audience. I am the author. I outrank you! -Franz Liebkind, The Producers)
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