Outrageous Thoughts of Babble
by Peter Knight
Courtroom-2 –"Does anyone from the panel know anyone who has themselves, or family member, or friend, been convicted of a crime?"
Moments later it was finally my turn. Four people had already approached the bench to answer the notorious question before I had. I slid out of the hardback leather chair and stood straight up. I could feel all eyes in the courtroom gaze upon me. My shoes clicked on the hardtop floor as I walked down from the jury box. Looking upward for the first time, I noticed the judge, both attorneys, and the defendant waiting for me, as I had to traverse across the front of the silent courtroom.
I approached the bench and they were prepared to listen to my explanation. There was no greeting. More of just a motion of a hand, to begin my discourse.
"Okay," speaking in a whisper tone as not to allow my voice to travel toward eavesdropping ears, "A childhood friend of mine was once convicted of possession of a handgun years ago." I paused. No one spoke. They awaited further explanation and I continued. "A childhood friend, him and his brother, older brother – were both having dinner in a restaurant. Over at the next table was apparently some rivals of theirs. One thing led to another and tempers flared. Weapons were drawn by both his older brother and their rivals. The older brother was shot dead – a bullet in the head. The rivals fled the restaurant. His younger brother grabbed the abandoned gun, and then proceeded to pursue the assailants. The police arrived at the scene and he was picked up for possession of a handgun."
There was a slight pause. It was ironic how I never thought about the situation until this moment. I never had pictured an old friend that way before, almost haunting – tattered with blood and lifelessly limp. I did not want to think about it any further. "How long ago was this?"
"Ten, maybe twelve years ago. It was twelve years ago," I answered.
"Did you read about this in the paper, or see any documentation on the matter?"
"No."
"Was it mainly through hearsay? Through people you knew, like friends or family?"
"Yes, mainly hearsay. I didn’t see any documentation.
"You are going to hear a story about three people in a car with a television and a gun. Are you able to make unbiased decisions on the matter?"
I thought to myself for a second and answered, "I will try."
The judged asked, "Can you base your decision entirely on the facts – the evidence on hand?"
"Yes," I confirmed my answer, "Yes, I can."
"Thank you. You may return to the panel."
I returned to my seat. The questions continued.
. . .
In addition to judge’s questions, each of the attorneys had theirs too. This followed through the late morning and early afternoon.
"If, by the evidence presented in this court, distinctively proved beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defendant here was in possession of a handgun, would you, as members of the jury, be able to cast a vote of guilty?"
We all nodded yes.
"Would you be able to cast a vote of guilty Mr. Smith?"
An elder man sitting diagonally in front of me answered, "Yes I would."
"Likewise, if the case could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, would you be able to cast a vote of not guilty?"
We all nodded yes.
"Would you be able to do so Ms. Washer?"
Ms. Washer was a timid elder woman. Her personality characterized that of one who is easily influenced and somewhat timid, "Yes sir."
"Would you be able to cast a vote of guilty if that were the case Ms. Washer?"
"Yes sir. Yes, I would. I mean, it would be the only right thing to do."
"Would any of you have any hesitation of being the fore-juror and having to announce the verdict of either guilty or not guilty?"
I had to think to myself whether I could stand up, look the defendant in the eyes, and announce a possible verdict of guilty. We all nodded no.
"Would you, Ms. Washer have any hesitation?"
"Would I have to? I can, I guess."
The attorney’s voice lowered, "Would you be able to announce a verdict of not guilty?"
"Yes. I can do that."
He turned his head upward, then downward toward his scribble pad, tapping his pen twice and paused again. "How about not guilty?"
"Would I have to do that? I could do that."
. . .
The attorneys approached the bench. They and the judge discussed the outcome. The judge turned toward us and announced, "I will announce the names of the jurors who are to stay. They will remain as jurors for this case. If your name is not mentioned, we thank you for your time, but please file out of the court and return to the juror waiting area downstairs."
I looked to the other jurors and we waited.
Seconds later the judge announced the names, "Mr. Brace and Ms. Lustien. All others, please return to the juror waiting area."
That was my day in court.