Being a juror is a serious civic duty for some, for others, it creates a sense of entitlement and empowerment. For a fiction writer it is a place to observe human behaviour up close for an extended period.
This recalls an experience from over a decade ago.
The early pleasantries of being a fellow juror soon diminished when baggage from past and present private worlds seeped in, threatening to stymie a just call on the evidence presented.
Evidence pointed clearly to who was guilty, but, the demography of the victim, in this case, created speculation on innocence by two jurors who seemed set for a hung jury. Every flawed, argument was presented to prove the apparent victim was the guilty one.
The judge stood strong, you’ve been a good bunch so far, go back and deliberate further, if you have to spend another week here you will have to. A verdict is imperative.
Frustration filled the deliberation room, the air was tense as heads butted, bigots surfaced, anger flared and personal issues came to the fore, those people are the worst elements in society attitude created deep-seated animosity in what began as a somewhat easy going, multicultural panel just a few days earlier. Most were committed to seeing justice served and were uncomfortable with the manipulations of two.
The legal team dropped hints during the process, too, that their client, the accused, was no Mr. Darcy – a subtle reminder to one of the jurors mooting for a hung jury, the one who casually mentioned during the early days, of affable newness, that an overseas holiday was booked and expressed the hope that jury duty should be done and dusted by then – then the reminder that the holiday booked might have to be shelved if the deliberation continued -miraculoulsy this led to a sudden turnaround from the hand in glove team of two.
Morning brought a dramatically revised attitude, the previously innocent person was now guilty as sin – all obtuse reasoning now tossed!
Mercurial!
Fodder for a piece of fiction on human behaviour!
Personal baggage weighing down the stooping shoulders of the juror should be left at the door of the jury room, just as the mobile phone is surrendered for safe keeping – to prevent external interference in the deliberation and evaluation of evidence.
Later it was revealed that the accused was being brought to court every day under tight security from prison. The accused was also under suspicion, to be tried at a later date for some othe unmentionable crime! Oh what juice for story!
No Mr. Darcy indeed!
What’s your take on jury duty? Twelve Angry Men or smooth sailing? Human attitudes are fascinating to observe around a table for twelve.
Ultimately, the facts, the truth and the outcome must gel if justice is to be served!
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