tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post1740808411644273287..comments2024-01-12T11:26:35.176-05:00Comments on Working Stiffs: Twelve Average CitizensWorking Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-84915158996213233202011-02-13T09:33:11.310-05:002011-02-13T09:33:11.310-05:00Fascinating and tragic. I can see why the Passenge...Fascinating and tragic. I can see why the Passenger wasn't charged, and it seems clear that the Shooter shot the police officers without warning. In that case, I could accept the death penalty. The times I can't are when the evidence is all circumstantial. The shadow of doubt is not something to take lightly, no matter what my imagination fills in. Really good post.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-5256003032112517732011-02-11T12:29:54.726-05:002011-02-11T12:29:54.726-05:00I think it is the obligation of any of us being ca...I think it is the obligation of any of us being called for jury duty to advise the judge that we have warped ideas about murder cases. I'd probably have ten scenerios over what happened in my mind even before I got up on the stand.<br />Not good.<br />PatgPatghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01046665022709722606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-2161950404142527752011-02-11T12:09:37.690-05:002011-02-11T12:09:37.690-05:00Annette, your experiences with the CPA have really...Annette, your experiences with the CPA have really led you into unexpected places. I remember when you were asked to help with that funeral. A small way to pay back.<br /><br />Nancy, Karen, Maryann--I realize now that I probably have shot to hell any chance of ever being on a jury, just by posting this! Last year, when I was in the jury pool for a capital murder trial, I did the soul-searching about whether or not I could vote for the death penalty. I decided then that I could. <br /><br />C.L., the reason the Passenger wasn't charged was two-fold. First, he stayed to aid the fallen officer, which I'm sure went a long way in his favor. Most importantly, he was a primary witness against the Shooter, as they were together in the back seat. The state struck a deal with him for his testimony. But that has not been a popular decision, by any means. A lot of "fry all three of them" comments have flown around.Ramonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00627775403015684868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-36628799852552558792011-02-11T11:59:57.134-05:002011-02-11T11:59:57.134-05:00Now that the post is posted, I can say that I do b...Now that the post is posted, I can say that I do believe, from all accounts I read in the case, that the Shooter was guilty. I think his defenders did a good job in their efforts to provide him with a worthy defense, which was their job and is his right as a citizen. <br /><br />I think a lot of people here expected this to be the proverbial open and shut case, and that didn't happen. I think that's a good thing. Everyone did what they were supposed to do, and none of it was easy. Although this is probably little comfort to Patrolman Spicer's family, justice and the lawful process do mean something.Ramonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00627775403015684868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-14776419935921564592011-02-11T10:09:13.049-05:002011-02-11T10:09:13.049-05:00I found this story riveting - and one details surp...I found this story riveting - and one details surprises me. Why was the Passenger not charged? I thought if you were in the company of those committing a crime, it was one for all and all for one. <br /><br />My prayers go out to all involved in the case, jurors included. This cannot be an easy thing to carry in your heart.C.L. Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03462140524620692647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-22375485782050887332011-02-11T09:55:39.890-05:002011-02-11T09:55:39.890-05:00I'd like to think I could be impartial and unb...I'd like to think I could be impartial and unbiased. But it's one of those you-don't-really-know-until-it-happens kind of things, isn't it? <br /><br />Having spent nearly two years as a Police Science major, married to a cop for three years, and being friends with cops for many more, I also know that cops are equally human, and also make mistakes. It's not the easiest job in the world, by a long shot, and police officers, even though they may be well-trained, still bring all-too human failings into the job with them, and sometimes with heart-breaking results, one way or the other. The daily sacrifices that police officers make, in both their jobs and their private lives, make their jobs almost impossible, and yet they manage to do them, and mostly do them well. <br /><br />I'm on the fence about the death penalty. On the one hand I think it's barbaric; on the other hand there are some crimes so senseless and horrific that putting the perpetrator to death seems to be the only fitting punishment. Again, a difficult call to make, and one I hope I never need to decide.Karen in Ohionoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-81223233405871332652011-02-11T09:45:37.310-05:002011-02-11T09:45:37.310-05:00Excellent post, Ramona.
I'm glad the jury fo...Excellent post, Ramona. <br /><br />I'm glad the jury found the shooter guilty. And I have absolutely NO problem with him being bruised from "falling down the steps." <br /><br />The only time I was called for jury duty was for federal court. I didn't get picked. The trial was for someone suing a police officer for false arrest. As soon as they heard I worked for a PD, I was dismissed.Joyce Tremelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00498392016497131719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-70540270927448338952011-02-11T08:52:53.908-05:002011-02-11T08:52:53.908-05:00Ramona,
Thanks for thought provoking post. What a...Ramona,<br /><br />Thanks for thought provoking post. What a tragedy.Laurienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-26553791084250580972011-02-11T08:43:16.189-05:002011-02-11T08:43:16.189-05:00I have been on juries several times in my life. De...I have been on juries several times in my life. Deciding someone's fate, whether for drunk driving or criminal action, is not a comfortable feeling. I've even served as fore-person on one. No one else would do it, so I volunteered in the interest of getting us out of the courthouse before we all got too old. Thankfully in that case the evidence was both testimony and videotape, which made the decision a little easier (except for the one person who thought the cop's dashboard camera could be construed as invasion of privacy). A murder trial? Please no. I'm fearful that I would have already made up my mind, especially in a case such as you describe. It's a human failing, at least in my case. It takes courage to judge, and more courage to impose death in that judgement. Plus, Chuck has worked with the police in a forensic capacity several times...I think I'd be excused. Guilty sounds like the right call in this case, though. But Annette said it...small compensation to the family.Maryannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04201498842123361209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-81057564178094633872011-02-11T08:14:11.164-05:002011-02-11T08:14:11.164-05:00ps. Great blog!ps. Great blog!NancyMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-84362829224932122082011-02-11T08:13:50.044-05:002011-02-11T08:13:50.044-05:00I don't think I could be an unbiased juror. A...I don't think I could be an unbiased juror. As you point out, Ramona, I'd be trying to "solve" the case, not judge the evidence---with is a fine line, but a line nonetheless. <br /><br />Plus---although I have concluded that I could never condemn anyone to the death penalty, I am completely blinded by emotion in a case of a police officer. It must be the definition of a heinous crime.NancyMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-49879022160606907302011-02-11T07:54:58.638-05:002011-02-11T07:54:58.638-05:00Ramona, I find stories like this so heartbreaking....Ramona, I find stories like this so heartbreaking. Here in Pittsburgh, we lost three officers in a shooting that happened not long after I completed the city's Citizen's Police Academy, and I helped work the funeral. It was horrendous. <br /><br />I'm glad the jury came back with a guilty verdict, but it's small compensation to that brave boy's family.Annettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02755947919433555176noreply@blogger.com