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Opening Arguments

Peers? I have no peers

The times are a changing, so jury rules have to as well:

The Indiana Supreme Court earlier this month issued new rules that, in greater detail, address technology and quick, easy access to outside information via the Internet.

For instance, computers, laptops, cell phones and other electronic devices will be banned from the courtroom and jury room. Jurors also will be prohibited from using the Internet to do independent research at home.

The role of that jury of our peers has't changed though. There is the same requirement as always to listen to all the evidence and make a fair assessment of it. Not like this guy:

Railton Loy was more than a little surprised recently when he found a summons in the mail ordering him to appear for jury duty.

The Imperial Wizard of the National Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, based in Osceola, was fairly certain he wouldn't make the best candidate.

[. . .]

Bailiff Julie Igaz confirmed the court received a phone message from Loy in which he expressed his affiliation and said he couldn't be fair unless "the defendant was white."

Igaz said she did not want to waste the court's time, and she accepted his reason for deferral.

If you're ever selected, just one tip. Don't wear your "Go ahead -- make my day" T-shirt.

Comments

Bob G.
Fri, 03/19/2010 - 9:21am

Leo:
Nah...I'd MUCH rather wear my "Celebrate Diversity" T-shirt, as pictured here:
http://www.thoseshirts.com/diversity.html

Now that is fashionable courtroom attire...!

;)

Anthony Wayne
Fri, 03/19/2010 - 6:22pm

I've seen a jury being selected twice - once as a witness, and once as a juror myself. Both cases were serious crimes (murder, attempted murder.)

In both cases there was one slackoff that just didn't want to be there, but was afraid to admit it. It was obvious they were giving answers designed to get themselves removed. And in both cases, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the judge grill them until they looked like total fools before he finally dismissed them.

At least the clansman was being honest in this case.

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