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I finished serving on a jury a few days ago - I was foreperson of a jury in a fairly serious criminal trial - and I wanted to give you my impressions and thoughts while still fresh in my mind. This was my first time on a jury of any kin...
I finished serving on a jury a few days ago - I was foreperson of a jury in a fairly serious criminal trial - and I wanted to give you my impressions and thoughts while still fresh in my mind. This was my first time on a jury of any kind. I was one of some 400 people who received a summons. I have no idea why I was chosen to be on a criminal case (there were several civil cases that also required jurors). I assume my being called up to sit in the jury seats where I was questioned by the judge, prosecutor, and defense attorney was similarly coincidental, and I apparently passed muster. The jury was informed by the judge before our jury started deliberations that I was to be foreperson. Neither I nor anyone else on the 12-person jury objected. But enough about me. Let's get to the case. The following are the agreed-upon facts, unless otherwise indicated. The FactsIn the summer of 2012, in a city a little north of New York, a couple were arguing in their apartment. The man, African-American, was in his 40s. His girlfriend, 20 years younger, was Caucasian. (I am not revealing any names, to protect the not-guilty). At some point before two in the morning, the man left. His girlfriend followed him into the street.At this point, an unmarked police car, with two officers in plain clothes, drove by on the street. They were on car-jacking and auto-theft patrol - seeking to stop people from breaking into and stealing cars. Noticing the woman standing in the street, they slowed down. They then noticed a man (her boyfriend) on the sidewalk - who, they said, briefly ducked down behind a car when he saw them. This resulted in the officers stopping in their car.Accounts differed slightly as to the words exchanged at this point. The officers say that the man said to them, "What the fuck are you looking at?" (Note that cursing a police officer is not illegal in this jurisdiction.) In any case, this was enough to get the officers out of their car. They approached the man, who then allegedly said, "What the fuck do you want?"Although the officers were dressed in plain clothes, they claimed that they had badges on lanyards around their necks which were clearly visible. They claimed they identified themselves as police officers. They noticed that the man had a gym bag in one hand and a small packet in the other, and dropped both on the ground. He started to walk away. Suspecting, the police officers said, that the small bag contained an illicit drug, they told the man he was under arrest. The police say they no longer suspected a car jacking or auto theft at this point.The man kept walking. One of the officers ran up to him and grabbed his arm in a effort to handcuff him. In the brief struggle that ensued, the officer sustained a broken nose - allegedly the result of the suspect's elbow, which the suspect swung behind him - and his partner sustained a broken hand. This was acknowledged by that officer to have been caused by his punching the suspect's head, in an effort to subdue him.The suspect was charged with Assaulting a Police Officer (a felony), and three misdemeanors, Obstructing Governmental Administration, Resisting Arrest, and Possession of Marijuana (which was found to be in the tiny packet).The only tangible evidence presented in the course of the trial were stipulations by a doctor that the officer's nose had been broken, and by a forensic lab that the contents of the dime-bag were marijuana. The rest was testimony by the two police officers, testimony by two additional officers who arrived on the scene after or just as the man was handcuffed, and testimony from the man's girlfriend. My Assessment of the FactsMy thoughts before we commenced deliberation: A man and his girlfriend are having an argument, he leaves, she follows him out to the street, and, their bad luck, an
about 1 hour ago
Sean Rumsey vs. Paul Carden – I’m a Man – The Voice UK 2013 via Rickey.org Sean Rumsey and Paul Carden sang “I’m a Man” on The Voice UK Series 2 Battle Round for Team Danny O’Donoghue. Sean is a ...
Sean Rumsey vs. Paul Carden – I’m a Man – The Voice UK 2013 via Rickey.org Sean Rumsey and Paul Carden sang “I’m a Man” on The Voice UK Series 2 Battle Round for Team Danny O’Donoghue. Sean is a YouTube star. I thought Paul had a more seasoned performance. The winner: Sean No more steals. I knew it. The Latest on The Voice UK Sean Rumsey vs. Paul Carden – I’m a Man – The Voice UK 2013Alys Williams vs. Lareena Mitchell – Rambling Man – The Voice UK 2013Trevor Francis vs. Lem Knights – Soul Man – The Voice UK 2013Liam Tamne vs. John Pritchard – Easy Lover – The Voice UK 2013Laura Oakes vs. Abi Sampa – Heaven – The Voice UK 2013 All posts on The Voice UK Follow me on Facebook! • Follow me on Google+ The Voice • American Idol • The X Factor
about 1 hour ago
Alys Williams vs. Lareena Mitchell – Rambling Man – The Voice UK 2013 via Rickey.org Alys Williams and Lareena Mitchell sang “Rambling Man” on The Voice UK Series 2 battle Round for Team Tom Jones. Geez Alys is s...
Alys Williams vs. Lareena Mitchell – Rambling Man – The Voice UK 2013 via Rickey.org Alys Williams and Lareena Mitchell sang “Rambling Man” on The Voice UK Series 2 battle Round for Team Tom Jones. Geez Alys is such a passive-aggressive diva. I don’t like her at all. The winner: Alys No more steals. The Latest on The Voice UK Sean Rumsey vs. Paul Carden – I’m a Man – The Voice UK 2013Alys Williams vs. Lareena Mitchell – Rambling Man – The Voice UK 2013Trevor Francis vs. Lem Knights – Soul Man – The Voice UK 2013Liam Tamne vs. John Pritchard – Easy Lover – The Voice UK 2013Laura Oakes vs. Abi Sampa – Heaven – The Voice UK 2013 All posts on The Voice UK Follow me on Facebook! • Follow me on Google+ The Voice • American Idol • The X Factor
about 1 hour ago
Trevor Francis vs. Lem Knights – Soul Man – The Voice UK 2013 via Rickey.org Trevor Francis and Lem Knights sang “Soul Man” on The Voice UK Series 2 Battle Round for Team Jessie J. Lem’s voice needs to mat...
Trevor Francis vs. Lem Knights – Soul Man – The Voice UK 2013 via Rickey.org Trevor Francis and Lem Knights sang “Soul Man” on The Voice UK Series 2 Battle Round for Team Jessie J. Lem’s voice needs to mature. He could not hold his runs. The winner: Trevor will.i.am steal Lem! The Latest on The Voice UK Sean Rumsey vs. Paul Carden – I’m a Man – The Voice UK 2013Alys Williams vs. Lareena Mitchell – Rambling Man – The Voice UK 2013Trevor Francis vs. Lem Knights – Soul Man – The Voice UK 2013Liam Tamne vs. John Pritchard – Easy Lover – The Voice UK 2013Laura Oakes vs. Abi Sampa – Heaven – The Voice UK 2013 All posts on The Voice UK Follow me on Facebook! • Follow me on Google+ The Voice • American Idol • The X Factor
about 1 hour ago
Liam Tamne vs. John Pritchard – Easy Lover – The Voice UK 2013 via Rickey.org Liam Tamne and John Pritchard sang “Easy Lover” on The Voice UK Series 2 Battle Round for Team will.i.am. It’s the battle of the...
Liam Tamne vs. John Pritchard – Easy Lover – The Voice UK 2013 via Rickey.org Liam Tamne and John Pritchard sang “Easy Lover” on The Voice UK Series 2 Battle Round for Team will.i.am. It’s the battle of the falsettos. What a mess! What is this song choice? LOL The other coaches criticized Will’s song choice and said the key was too high. The winner: John! What a shocker! No more steals left for Liam. What is Will doing??? What an idiot. Liam had an amazing audition. I’m so gutted. How upsetting. The Latest on The Voice UK Sean Rumsey vs. Paul Carden – I’m a Man – The Voice UK 2013Alys Williams vs. Lareena Mitchell – Rambling Man – The Voice UK 2013Trevor Francis vs. Lem Knights – Soul Man – The Voice UK 2013Liam Tamne vs. John Pritchard – Easy Lover – The Voice UK 2013Laura Oakes vs. Abi Sampa – Heaven – The Voice UK 2013 All posts on The Voice UK Follow me on Facebook! • Follow me on Google+ The Voice • American Idol • The X Factor
about 2 hours ago
The actress will continue on as Detective Olivia Benson in the veteran NBC procedural.read more
The actress will continue on as Detective Olivia Benson in the veteran NBC procedural.read more
about 2 hours ago
Laura Oakes vs. Abi Sampa – Heaven – The Voice UK 2013 via Rickey.org Laura Oakes and Abi Sampa sang “Heaven” on The Voice UK Series 2 Battle Round for Team Danny O’Donoghue. I love this song by Emeli Sande....
Laura Oakes vs. Abi Sampa – Heaven – The Voice UK 2013 via Rickey.org Laura Oakes and Abi Sampa sang “Heaven” on The Voice UK Series 2 Battle Round for Team Danny O’Donoghue. I love this song by Emeli Sande. Abi did her Indian-style raga riffs. The winner: Abi There is no steal for Laura. The Latest on The Voice UK Sean Rumsey vs. Paul Carden – I’m a Man – The Voice UK 2013Alys Williams vs. Lareena Mitchell – Rambling Man – The Voice UK 2013Trevor Francis vs. Lem Knights – Soul Man – The Voice UK 2013Liam Tamne vs. John Pritchard – Easy Lover – The Voice UK 2013Laura Oakes vs. Abi Sampa – Heaven – The Voice UK 2013 All posts on The Voice UK Follow me on Facebook! • Follow me on Google+ The Voice • American Idol • The X Factor
about 2 hours ago
Joseph Apostol vs. Diva – Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me – The Voice UK 2013 via Rickey.org Joseph Apostol and Diva sang “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” on The Voice UK Series 2 Battle Round for Tea...
Joseph Apostol vs. Diva – Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me – The Voice UK 2013 via Rickey.org Joseph Apostol and Diva sang “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” on The Voice UK Series 2 Battle Round for Team Tom Jones. OMG Joseph is Pinoy! Joseph brought tears to Tom’s eyes! will.i.am gave a shoutout to the Philippines. The winner: Joseph! #PinoyPride There was no steal for Diva. The Latest on The Voice UK Sean Rumsey vs. Paul Carden – I’m a Man – The Voice UK 2013Alys Williams vs. Lareena Mitchell – Rambling Man – The Voice UK 2013Trevor Francis vs. Lem Knights – Soul Man – The Voice UK 2013Liam Tamne vs. John Pritchard – Easy Lover – The Voice UK 2013Laura Oakes vs. Abi Sampa – Heaven – The Voice UK 2013 All posts on The Voice UK Follow me on Facebook! • Follow me on Google+ The Voice • American Idol • The X Factor
about 2 hours ago
Alex Buchanan vs. Letitia Grant-Brown – Family Affair – The Voice UK 2013 via Rickey.org Alex Buchanan and Letitia Grant-Brown sang “Family Affair” on The Voice UK Series 2 Battle Round for Team Jessie J. This wa...
Alex Buchanan vs. Letitia Grant-Brown – Family Affair – The Voice UK 2013 via Rickey.org Alex Buchanan and Letitia Grant-Brown sang “Family Affair” on The Voice UK Series 2 Battle Round for Team Jessie J. This was so bad. What a mess. The winner: Letitia! will.i.am and Danny O’Donoghue push their buttons to steal Alex! Alex chooses: Danny! The Latest on The Voice UK Alex Buchanan vs. Letitia Grant-Brown – Family Affair – The Voice UK 2013Mike Ward vs. Emma Jade – Landslide – The Voice UK 2013Ricardo Afonso vs. Mitchel Emms – Are You Gonna Be My Girl? – The Voice UK 2013Sarah Cassidy – Let’s Stay Together – The Voice UK 2013 – Blind AuditionCarla and Barbara – The Flower Duet – The Voice UK 2013 – Blind Audition All posts on The Voice UK Follow me on Facebook! • Follow me on Google+ The Voice • American Idol • The X Factor
about 2 hours ago
Mike Ward vs. Emma Jade – Landslide – The Voice UK 2013 via Rickey.org Mike Ward and Emma Jade sang “Landslide” on The Voice UK Series 2 Battle Round for Team Tom Jones. They’re both country! I love this son...
Mike Ward vs. Emma Jade – Landslide – The Voice UK 2013 via Rickey.org Mike Ward and Emma Jade sang “Landslide” on The Voice UK Series 2 Battle Round for Team Tom Jones. They’re both country! I love this song! The winner: Mike Ward! There was no steal for Emma. The Latest on The Voice UK Alex Buchanan vs. Letitia Grant-Brown – Family Affair – The Voice UK 2013Mike Ward vs. Emma Jade – Landslide – The Voice UK 2013Ricardo Afonso vs. Mitchel Emms – Are You Gonna Be My Girl? – The Voice UK 2013Sarah Cassidy – Let’s Stay Together – The Voice UK 2013 – Blind AuditionCarla and Barbara – The Flower Duet – The Voice UK 2013 – Blind Audition All posts on The Voice UK Follow me on Facebook! • Follow me on Google+ The Voice • American Idol • The X Factor
about 2 hours ago