the end of the story

I've always considered myself a "student of humanity." I love to "people watch"

and figure things out. Any airport layover or waiting for someone at the mall--

the time flies for me as I find people fascinating to observe.

And I found lots of human study in what ended up to be a two-day trial where I sat on the jury.

Once I got over my disappointment at being seated,

I found everything about the process fascinating.

Everyone in the courtroom watched us closely, wondering, I'm sure,

what we were thinking and considering about the outcome. 

In general my mind easily wanders, but not during this experience. It was riveting

and I had no trouble remembering most all of what I heard and saw.

I nodded off once, when we watched a 45 minute search for evidence filmed from

a camera on the officer's head. Sorting through a large basket of laundry got
monotonous. I wasn't the only one dozing in the warm courtroom. 

The defendant himself's snoring could be heard once when he fell asleep. 

And the bailiff in his corner, was asleep when the ADA needed him 

to show us evidence. He hopped to it quickly

and there was a quiet ripple of laughter as he shook himself awake.

The same bailiff or deputy as he called himself was a pretty funny

guy as he led us to and from the jury box, all lined up according to our number, 

in silent single file like a mama duck with her ducklings.

It was so hard not to talk amongst ourselves about the case until given 

the official word to deliberate.

I felt a strong sense of responsibility, and that I was having a part in 

affecting the future of the defendant. I prayed for wisdom.

But it was a pretty straight forward case with overwhelming evidence of guilt so the

decision was not hard. There was some deliberation on a minor charge,  

and of course a discussion of what "beyond reasonable doubt" means. 

"Reasonable" was the word that helped me.

After all was finished, the judge came to the jury room to thank us.

She was a wonderful judge and very professional, but when she talked to us

after the trial, she was down to earth, answering all our questions about

the defendant and the system in general. The experience affected me a lot, 

and in the end, as often is the case, I'm thankful I had the opportunity.