Author Topic: A Rough Couple Days (Read 592 times)

Spirithawk · « **on:** March 06, 2012, 05:04:21 PM »

I got called for Jury Duty and then chosen to be on the Jury. The trial was a 20 year old who at 17 commited an armed home invasion. He faced 3 Felony charges. He and a friend dressed in full cammo, donned face masks, and sneaked through the woods after dark to a young couple's home. They knocked on the door and when the husband answered they forced their way in. This kid held a very real looking BB Gun on the wife while his buddy beat the husband with a steel pipe. The husband fought back but was seriously, and permanatly injured. His buddy had already pleaded guilty, been tried and sentenced. This kid claimed it was his buddy's idea and he only went along because he was drunk. However it was proven his buddy didn't know the couple while he did. Also, this kid was sober enough to snatch the phone from the wife when she tried to call 911. They only ran out when she yelled at them that she recognised the kid's voice. I was unanimously sellected by everyone to be the Jury Foreman and it wasn't an easy job. We all agreed he was guilty but I had to read and explain the laws and instructions on things and then personaly sign each guilty verdict. The kid then decided to let the jury decide his sentence rather than the judge so back we went to deliberate some more. That was a much harder job and a few lady jurors were swayed by his boyish looks and young age. I again had to read aloud all the laws and judge's instructions and mediate till all agreed on each sentence. That was far from an easy job. We settled on 5 years for count 1 Burglary in the First Degree. First Degree because the couple was home when they broke in. 6 years for assault with permanant injury to one victom and an added 3 for use of a weapon in the assault. I wanted a few more years on the last count, as did most of the other Juror's but 3 ladies held out for the lighter sentence. So in all he got 14 years. I had to personaly sign each sentence too. Hated to send a kid to prison but he brought it on himself. Set free he'd likely do it again and next time someone might of got killed so there wouldn't be wittnesses. It was hard on each Juror but as Foreman I bore the brunt of mediating to come to full agreements as required by lawand it was my signature on each guity verdict and sentence. Everyone commended me on doing what nobody else wanted to do and doing it well. I'm proud I did my part but just feel mentaly and physicaly drained. Because of my disabilities it would have been easy to have begged off but that's just not my style. Hopefully doing time will wisen the kid up but I'm afraid the lessons he'll learn will only make him more hardened and wiser in criminal ways however so would have setting him free. I know I did the right thing and the best I could but dang guys, I just feel mighty tired tonight.

pspinc2003 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2012, 05:19:39 PM »

Lady justice has spoken...good work sir

teamnelson · « **Reply #2 on:** March 06, 2012, 05:20:01 PM »

Sir, thank you for standing duty, upholding the law, and leading others to do the same. What this young man does with his opportunity is up to him. He is fortunate; had he come to my house, he'd be dead. Perhaps he'll realize hes been blessed to live longer, and spend his remaining years accordingly.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #3 on:** March 06, 2012, 05:42:16 PM »

Thanks guys it means a lot to meto hear you say that. I agree with you TN and told the others that had it been my home him and his friend would be dead. If just set free either himself or an inocent victom would likely be killed eventually and likely sooner than later. I give my fellow jurors credit for doing the right thing too. It wasn't easy for any of us.

powderman · « **Reply #4 on:** March 06, 2012, 05:53:35 PM »

SPIRITHAWK. Good job Sir, well done. I have zero tolerance for punks of any age. An old lady in her 80s was attacked about 2 miles or so from me. They turned her electric off then went in with hoods on and flashlights. Beat her and covered her up with a rug then took what they wanted, never caught. Always pleases me when the punks are shot by the homeowners, doesn't happen nearly enough though. One case in Lou was pretty good. Punk broke in and was beating the homeowner pretty bad. The homeowners GF came charging in with her lou slugger baseball bat and beat the crap out of the punk breaking bones, he tried to run but she had knee capped him, he went down and she really went to work. I loved it. POWDERMAN.

Duke0313 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 06, 2012, 05:54:00 PM »

Great job and THANKS!!!

Shu · « **Reply #6 on:** March 07, 2012, 02:03:58 AM »

Great job Elder. Maybe if more people didn't shirk their duties, jurys wouldn't be full of idiots.
It is bad to see the young folks go to prison but if you do the crime, you do the time. Drunk is never an excuse.

turk762 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 07, 2012, 02:44:09 AM »

You did what needed to be done to protect the rest of society, that is what the prison system is for. It is a time out, so to speak, for adults. It is a punishment for the bad and protection against that person for the public. Dont feel bad for what you did, it needed to be done. I would feel bad that the man was permantly injured and will have to live with this for the rest of his life, this kid only has to do his time in prison.

As for the kid being worse when he gets out? You did send him to club med.

To many people lost touch with what the prison system is. Its not a offender reformer, but punishment to the offender (they all know the consquences if caught), and protects us from them. They do have programs to help some (thats up to them) but the serious offenders are already set in there minds, personalities, lifestyles, ECT. They will not be reformed because they dont want to.

Swift One · « **Reply #8 on:** March 07, 2012, 02:52:02 AM »

Quote

To many people lost touch with what the prison system is. Its not a offender reformer, but punishment to the offender (they all know the consquences if caught), and protects us from them. They do have programs to help some (thats up to them) but the serious offenders are already set in there minds, personalities, lifestyles, ECT. They will not be reformed because they dont want to.

OMG this is such a true statement. In 16yrs of correctional service, I have really seen the prison system go from crime and punishment to identify and "fix". I will not sit here and BS ya. I have met more than a few offenders in my career that I would more than likely have drank with at a bar. They made a couple of mistakes and got caught. When they get out, you just dont see them return. Then there are the ones that keep me employed- the career criminal. Prison should be designed so that when a person experiences it, they will not want to return. Im not saying it has to be a gladiator school, but they should not be able to get diplomas (HS and college) and watch big screen TVs and play Xbox. Oh yes, these happen. It should be an empty void in their life where when they are done with their sentance, they can actually feel the void inside them. The months/ years of when life stood still for them. Nothing was accomplished but self thought and self awarness.

Swampman · « **Reply #9 on:** March 07, 2012, 03:05:38 AM »

Thank you for your hard work Spirithawk. I wish he'd been given more time but you did your best.

guzzijohn · « **Reply #10 on:** March 07, 2012, 03:06:32 AM »

Spirithawk,
Good for you to complete your civic duty to not only serve on this jury but to be foreman too. Good job!
GuzziJohn

Old Fart · « **Reply #11 on:** March 07, 2012, 03:24:45 AM »

SH, reach around and pat yourself on your back for me.

You only did what was necessary.

Old Syko · « **Reply #12 on:** March 07, 2012, 03:48:58 AM »

SH, you have now lived a dream of mine. I've been called in but never gotten so far as the questioning phase so no chance of being chosen.

Tommyt · « **Reply #13 on:** March 07, 2012, 04:29:31 AM »

Spirithawk

Thank You

Tommyt

gypsyman · « **Reply #14 on:** March 07, 2012, 07:19:13 AM »

SpiritHawk, thanks for a job well done. Statement in your post about the women jurers looking at him as a such a young man with good looks. Thanks for helping them see what is the truth. How many times a defense attorny will clean up a client, and that person looks more like a well to do businessman/woman, than a criminal. I've seen picture's of when the police haul somebody in, and when that person walks out of the courthouse. Like night and day. gypsyman

no guns here · « **Reply #15 on:** March 07, 2012, 08:09:35 AM »

Thanks for doing a tough job. The "polite" part of society appreciates your work. It may have been a bit of work and may have taken a lot of patience, but it's beats the heck out of having rounds flying past right?

Good job,
NGH

Casull · « **Reply #16 on:** March 07, 2012, 10:29:45 AM »

Spirithawk, when I read your post, I immediately started thinking about what I wanted to say to you. However, by the time I finished with the responses, many beat me to the punch. So, I'll just say thank you.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #17 on:** March 07, 2012, 01:32:34 PM »

Thanks everyone. Your responses are much apreciated.

williamlayton · « **Reply #18 on:** March 08, 2012, 12:01:36 AM »

The sad part of this is all we have done with these kids is send them to a finishing school for a higher degree in criminal activity and given them contact to others who will assist.
Blessings

Sourdough · « **Reply #19 on:** March 08, 2012, 03:56:45 AM »

You said the punk knew the victim, so they knew it was a safe place for them. They knew the young couple did not have firearms, and were probably passive people. Someone easy to take advantage of.

You did good, too bad the women had to be so soft.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #20 on:** March 08, 2012, 06:40:19 AM »

Trust me William, we talked long and hard about that. Our conclusion was that he forced us to send him there by his actions and how he comes out is totaly up to him. If he comes out hardened and tries it again the next time he may get put in a grave rather than a cell.

Casull · « **Reply #21 on:** March 08, 2012, 10:08:13 AM »

Quote

The sad part of this is all we have done with these kids is send them to a finishing school for a higher degree in criminal activity and given them contact to others who will assist.

No, the sad part is what happened to the innocents. What happens to the a**wipes that committed the crime is of their own doing.