"LIFE"

Had a great privilege the first three days of this week. This is the one single thing that separates us from the rest of the world, our trials by jury where the defendant is Innocent until the State proves him guilty to 12 people then they will decide.

Think about this as if someone has accused you of a crime? Think hard. I knew a lot more about our system Monday morning before I got selected as the alternate to the jury, heard everything just couldn't vote, than I did when I got home Monday afternoon.

Good gosh...what a responsibility this is. One twelfth of someones life in your hand. One more time think just about that.

What do you do on a jury? Listen, read some of the paperwork, go to the bathroom, talk about the weather, really not much, you are just there. All of the evidence is being presented, witness are called, etc.

Then you are presented with the closing statements, then you are released to the jury room to determine quilty or innocence. The next day in our case you are presented more information about the defendant if he has been determined guily then...you determine the punishment. See what I mean. In your hands.
I glad now to have been the alternant. Next time I will listen and watch differently. I know now why you see some of the decisions that are made. Maybe next time I will be in one of the "real" seats.
MM