OPINION--I Was Robbed of My Civic Duty!

I am a victim of defense counsel's peremptory challenge!

Yesterday I reported to jury duty for the first time. When that summons comes in the mail, most people are annoyed at the “inconvenience”, but for me, I was elated. Since my background is in law and true crime writing, I was praying to be selected for a juicy criminal case.

I shuffled into the court room for the “voir dire” process (an old French word for “truth“), in which both the prosecutor and the defendant’s counsel asks each potential juror questions to decide whether or not they want them on the jury.

In this first phase of voir dire, each side is entitled to what is called a peremptory challenge, a complete strategic move, in which either side can excuse a juror without giving a reason. When I found out the case was a felony trial my interest peaked! When I was told that it was a murder and rape case dating back to 1985, I put on the poker face because my insides were screaming for joy! I thought, this would be my moment to make a difference!

However, I promised myself I would stay impartial during the proceedings, taking in all the facts and circumstances while making my decision of innocence or guilt.

Then shady defense attorney approached me. “Ms. Simonsen…what do you do for a living?”

“I’m a former paralegal and now I’m a true crime writer. I also work with missing person’s families.”

“So, do you have anything published in regards to this crime writing?”

“Not yet, but I have two blogs and other outlets where I write. I’m in the process of obtaining my goal of being a professional crime writer.”

“How do you get your information?” “The internet. Databases. Sometimes talking to victim’s families. It depends on what I’m writing.”

“What do you think of DNA evidence? Do you find it credible?”

“Absolutely.”

I was finished right there. Not only did I have 10+ years in the legal field, but I was “pro-DNA”, and a true crime writer to boot.

After 5 minutes of silence, I heard the judge calling out names. All the women in the front row next to me started to jump out of their chairs. Then I hear, “Michelle Simonsen. Thank you for your service.” I asked the woman next to me, “Does this mean we’re done? Did I get booted?”

My chair was closest to the deputy prosecutor and when I stood up to leave we locked eyes. She gestured with her face a frown screaming disappointment. Let’s face it. I am a prosecutor’s dream juror.

As I left the courthouse I couldn’t get the defendant’s face out of my mind. Almost the entire time I sat across from him, I purposely stared him down. I was playing that childhood game to see who will blink or look away first. My eyes were fixated on him, trying to intimidate him and reveal his weakness without his counsel noticing.

I won the stare down contest. Every time he looked at me and saw my icy stare, his eyes became shifty and then looked away nervously. I saw into the depths of those cold eyes and I saw a monster.

I had no information on the facts, I did not know him, I had no knowledge of this murder; yet, he reeked of evil.

When I got home I immediately jumped on the internet. Ethically speaking, it would have been wrong for me to be a juror. But I won’t lie when I say that I wish I could have been on this jury.

Especially after I read the background of the case.

So now the future of this piece of human garbage hangs in the balance with 12 other people. Thursday can’t come soon enough to find out if these “reasonable” jurors put this monster away forever.

http://michellesaysso.blogspot.com