"When you get into a tight spot and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer,
never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Friday, November 30, 2007
Quotes
I have always enjoyed quotes. There something about finding the words of another that can touch your soul when you feel like no one understands.
"When you get into a tight spot and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer,
never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."
Harriet Beecher Stowe
"When you get into a tight spot and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer,
never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Juror #15
When I was in High School, I participated in a "Mock Trial." Being that it was 10 years ago, I really dont remember much about it. I dont even remember my role in it. I just remember that it took us weeks to go through it and it was really boring. . . .
So when I got my summons for jury duty, I really didnt know what to expect. I had no clue how it all worked. (I even asked my roommates what to wear! I mean, come one. On Law & Order, all the jury members are always in business dress.)
Day 1 - Jury Pool. I got to the jury pool room and checked in. I handed in a survey with basic info like place of residence, place of birth, occupation, and age. I was number 75. I waited in what reminded me of the DMV lobby back in Texas. I waited for about 2 hours before I was lined up with 10 others, and ushered in to a court room. They crammed about 120 people into this court that only sat about 40 people. The Judge introduced the case that she was picking jurors for. All she said was that it was a murder trial. She ran through questions like 1) did we know the defendant, 2) did we know the victim, 3) did we know any of the witnesses, 4) did we have an issue with police. . . There were others, that have totally slipped my mind. The judge then brought each of us to the side of her desk with both of the attorneys. She then asked if I said yes to any of the question, then after saying that I did not, I was asked if I would have a problem listening to witnesses that had a plea bargain. When I answered in the negative, I was told to have a seat. This is when I became known as Jury #15. One might remember the lovely movie of 12 Angry Men, and question why there were more than 12. Well. We had 16 jurors. They have 4 alternates that listen to the old case, and only after closing arguments do they find out that they dont have to make the final decision. (You can probably tell that I was not choose to be an alternate.)
Interesting Note. As a Juror, the only one that is allowed to speak to you are the Court Officers. The Judge will speak to you as a collective and only during open court. You are not allowed to speak to the Attorneys. Not in the elevator. Not in the hallway. Not in the local lunch spot. You are not to talk to your family, co-workers, acquintances about the case.
Day 2 - Field Trip. We took a bus ride to the scene of the crime. The only thing we knew about the case was that a kid was stabbed. We were usher in to the apartment in small groups as it was a small space. The Attorneys gave us instructions to take note of the apartment, to stand in the different doorways and take note of what we could see. The Judge was present to make sure that the law was upheld. The arresting officers were present. There were uniformed officers there also to make sure that no one would speak to us. After a tour of the apartment, we went back to the courthouse. It was interesting to see the passing cars stare at us. We were in a LARGE school bus painted blue and white and accompanied by a cop with flashing lights on both sides.
Opening Arguments. We finally learn the basics of the case, by both the Prosecuting and the Defense Attorneys. Bring on the Trial.
The Case. Roberto lived with his sister Yashira and a friend Jesse. They decided to have friends over and have a party. It started late. Friends were over and drinking starting around 11pm. Not only were partiers drinking Tequilla and beer, they were smoking weed. Jesse wanted a DVD out of Yashiras room. A fellow partier, Eugene, offered to get it. Eugene seemed to feel that he could do it as his cousin/friend was Yashira's Boyfriend and in the room too. After walking in and asking for the, Yashira and Eugene got into a verbal argument. Yashira was upset that she would be disrespected in her house. Roberto, and two friends of Roberto, Jamal and Country came to Robertos aide. A yelling argument turned into a fist fight. And a fist fight turned into a stabbing. Eugene was found bleeding from a 7 in gash. No one claims to see a knife in anyones hand, but the closest people to Eugene when someone yelled 'He's been stabbed' were Country and Roberto. The knife was then washed and hidden in Natick. It was said by witnesses that after being stabbed Eugene said that he was going to 'come back and shoot up the street.' Roberto answered him by saying that he 'would stomp his face' and spit on him. Eugene was taken to the hospital and soon after died.
Day 2-6 - Witnesses. We heard from Police, Detectives, Crime Lab Specialist, and dont forget the other party-goers. Oh the ever so helpful party-goers. I think the most amusing moment of the trial was when one of the witnesses, who was 17 y/o at the time of the incident, said that she was not longer intoxicated from her 15 tequilas and few beers because she smoked some weed! WHAT?? Really??. . .WOW. All of the witnesses for the Prosecution were friends and family of Roberto. The only witness for the Defense was the cousin/friend of the victim. Right there shows how messed up this case was. Oh and that last witness had his own trial the very next day for a separate offense.
Day 7 - Final Witnesses and Closing Arguments. Basically the attorneys just reiterated the same ideas and thoughts that were brought up during witnesses. Then it was Bingo time! They put all our juror numbers and names in a wooden bingo-like contraption. This is how they choose the alternates.
Deliberating. We were then taken back to our room. Given the rules about when/where we are able and not able to talk. And they shut the door on us. We didnt know exactly where to start. . . But needless to say we got under way, and things were very heated. And that was true for much of the deliberating.
Day 8 - Deliberating. I must say that I really had to realize the difference between probable and reasonable doubt. Anything could be probable. But was it a reasonable explanation if it was not him. This was hard for me. I didnt want to see the bad in him. I didnt want think about being a judge in someones life. (Growing up in the church, I really only thought about the judge in your actions as God. Not humans. But then I realized that Im not giving him a sentence for eternity, but just for this life. And Granted that doesnt make it better, but it made it somewhat livable for me.
Day 9 - Deliberating.
Day 10 - Deliberating. . . . We finally came to a conclusion/vote. We convected him of Murder in the 2nd Degree. WOW! He is going to spend the rest of his life in prison. Behind bars. WOW. That is something so beyond my reality. The Judge came up afterwards to Thank us for the time spent and the respect we gave to the situation. She answered questions for us. I was really appreciative that she took the time to speak to us. And then we walked away. Alittle shell shocked, alittle relieved that it was over, and alittle taken aback that we just decided the fate of another person.
So. That was alot of my experience. I did leave some things out. But I think you have a good idea of what I was doing for the last two+ weeks. I will say that I do see the importance of jury duty. I am very appreciative of the experience I have had, granted I wish that it wasnt for a MURDER trial. . . . But I also ask of you that if you do get summoned for Jury Duty, please dont immediately start to think of ways to get out of it. But realize that these people on trial are looking for and hoping for people that will take it serious. Its a civic duty. There are days that I would like to do more for the community. Well, here is definitely a way.
Here is a link to an article in the paper. Its alittle biases. And the defendant looks much scarier than what I saw during the trial.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/11/01/man_arraigned_in_stabbing_death_at_dorchester_party/
So when I got my summons for jury duty, I really didnt know what to expect. I had no clue how it all worked. (I even asked my roommates what to wear! I mean, come one. On Law & Order, all the jury members are always in business dress.)
Day 1 - Jury Pool. I got to the jury pool room and checked in. I handed in a survey with basic info like place of residence, place of birth, occupation, and age. I was number 75. I waited in what reminded me of the DMV lobby back in Texas. I waited for about 2 hours before I was lined up with 10 others, and ushered in to a court room. They crammed about 120 people into this court that only sat about 40 people. The Judge introduced the case that she was picking jurors for. All she said was that it was a murder trial. She ran through questions like 1) did we know the defendant, 2) did we know the victim, 3) did we know any of the witnesses, 4) did we have an issue with police. . . There were others, that have totally slipped my mind. The judge then brought each of us to the side of her desk with both of the attorneys. She then asked if I said yes to any of the question, then after saying that I did not, I was asked if I would have a problem listening to witnesses that had a plea bargain. When I answered in the negative, I was told to have a seat. This is when I became known as Jury #15. One might remember the lovely movie of 12 Angry Men, and question why there were more than 12. Well. We had 16 jurors. They have 4 alternates that listen to the old case, and only after closing arguments do they find out that they dont have to make the final decision. (You can probably tell that I was not choose to be an alternate.)
Interesting Note. As a Juror, the only one that is allowed to speak to you are the Court Officers. The Judge will speak to you as a collective and only during open court. You are not allowed to speak to the Attorneys. Not in the elevator. Not in the hallway. Not in the local lunch spot. You are not to talk to your family, co-workers, acquintances about the case.
Day 2 - Field Trip. We took a bus ride to the scene of the crime. The only thing we knew about the case was that a kid was stabbed. We were usher in to the apartment in small groups as it was a small space. The Attorneys gave us instructions to take note of the apartment, to stand in the different doorways and take note of what we could see. The Judge was present to make sure that the law was upheld. The arresting officers were present. There were uniformed officers there also to make sure that no one would speak to us. After a tour of the apartment, we went back to the courthouse. It was interesting to see the passing cars stare at us. We were in a LARGE school bus painted blue and white and accompanied by a cop with flashing lights on both sides.
Opening Arguments. We finally learn the basics of the case, by both the Prosecuting and the Defense Attorneys. Bring on the Trial.
The Case. Roberto lived with his sister Yashira and a friend Jesse. They decided to have friends over and have a party. It started late. Friends were over and drinking starting around 11pm. Not only were partiers drinking Tequilla and beer, they were smoking weed. Jesse wanted a DVD out of Yashiras room. A fellow partier, Eugene, offered to get it. Eugene seemed to feel that he could do it as his cousin/friend was Yashira's Boyfriend and in the room too. After walking in and asking for the, Yashira and Eugene got into a verbal argument. Yashira was upset that she would be disrespected in her house. Roberto, and two friends of Roberto, Jamal and Country came to Robertos aide. A yelling argument turned into a fist fight. And a fist fight turned into a stabbing. Eugene was found bleeding from a 7 in gash. No one claims to see a knife in anyones hand, but the closest people to Eugene when someone yelled 'He's been stabbed' were Country and Roberto. The knife was then washed and hidden in Natick. It was said by witnesses that after being stabbed Eugene said that he was going to 'come back and shoot up the street.' Roberto answered him by saying that he 'would stomp his face' and spit on him. Eugene was taken to the hospital and soon after died.
Day 2-6 - Witnesses. We heard from Police, Detectives, Crime Lab Specialist, and dont forget the other party-goers. Oh the ever so helpful party-goers. I think the most amusing moment of the trial was when one of the witnesses, who was 17 y/o at the time of the incident, said that she was not longer intoxicated from her 15 tequilas and few beers because she smoked some weed! WHAT?? Really??. . .WOW. All of the witnesses for the Prosecution were friends and family of Roberto. The only witness for the Defense was the cousin/friend of the victim. Right there shows how messed up this case was. Oh and that last witness had his own trial the very next day for a separate offense.
Day 7 - Final Witnesses and Closing Arguments. Basically the attorneys just reiterated the same ideas and thoughts that were brought up during witnesses. Then it was Bingo time! They put all our juror numbers and names in a wooden bingo-like contraption. This is how they choose the alternates.
Deliberating. We were then taken back to our room. Given the rules about when/where we are able and not able to talk. And they shut the door on us. We didnt know exactly where to start. . . But needless to say we got under way, and things were very heated. And that was true for much of the deliberating.
Day 8 - Deliberating. I must say that I really had to realize the difference between probable and reasonable doubt. Anything could be probable. But was it a reasonable explanation if it was not him. This was hard for me. I didnt want to see the bad in him. I didnt want think about being a judge in someones life. (Growing up in the church, I really only thought about the judge in your actions as God. Not humans. But then I realized that Im not giving him a sentence for eternity, but just for this life. And Granted that doesnt make it better, but it made it somewhat livable for me.
Day 9 - Deliberating.
Day 10 - Deliberating. . . . We finally came to a conclusion/vote. We convected him of Murder in the 2nd Degree. WOW! He is going to spend the rest of his life in prison. Behind bars. WOW. That is something so beyond my reality. The Judge came up afterwards to Thank us for the time spent and the respect we gave to the situation. She answered questions for us. I was really appreciative that she took the time to speak to us. And then we walked away. Alittle shell shocked, alittle relieved that it was over, and alittle taken aback that we just decided the fate of another person.
So. That was alot of my experience. I did leave some things out. But I think you have a good idea of what I was doing for the last two+ weeks. I will say that I do see the importance of jury duty. I am very appreciative of the experience I have had, granted I wish that it wasnt for a MURDER trial. . . . But I also ask of you that if you do get summoned for Jury Duty, please dont immediately start to think of ways to get out of it. But realize that these people on trial are looking for and hoping for people that will take it serious. Its a civic duty. There are days that I would like to do more for the community. Well, here is definitely a way.
Here is a link to an article in the paper. Its alittle biases. And the defendant looks much scarier than what I saw during the trial.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/11/01/man_arraigned_in_stabbing_death_at_dorchester_party/
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Worship
Last night I had an oppurtunity to attend a worship service with a friend. As I have lead my life, mainly only attending services of my faith, it was interesting to participated in service of another faith. There were many thoughts running through my head during this hour and a half. It was a "College" worship, so all, or close to all, the people attending were between 18-27 y/o. It was a well prepare presentation. Lots of sing with guitars and drums. There were a few thoughts shared about Christ. Im thankful to my friend for letting me attend. I must say that I walked away being very thankful that I have answers for thoughts that were not addressed that evening. They talked alot about worshiping Christ, and bringing your heart to Christ, and that God gave his Son to die for us. But Why? Why are doing those things important? How do you do that? Why did God give his Son to die for us? I am so thankful to have these answers. Im so glad that I have a place to go for these answers. Dont get me wrong, Im so glad that there are religious people in this world, that are on a quest to do His will and live a good life. . . .
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Secrets!
Im really sorry to do this to you. . . But today was such a funny day in court. And I cant talk about it. ARRGGGHHH. You will have to find me later.
I can say that today has really made something ovbious to me. 1) Put yourself in good places, and 2) Surround yourself with good people. It is soo apparent to me watch the life on another unfold before me, that these two ideas are so very important. I can remember the many sunday school lessons about "Standing in Holy Places," and other times when we are told to "Pick your friends wisely." Oh wow it is soo true!
I can say that today has really made something ovbious to me. 1) Put yourself in good places, and 2) Surround yourself with good people. It is soo apparent to me watch the life on another unfold before me, that these two ideas are so very important. I can remember the many sunday school lessons about "Standing in Holy Places," and other times when we are told to "Pick your friends wisely." Oh wow it is soo true!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Pride and Respect
I havent blogged for a few days. The main reason has been because I cant talk about the most exciting part of my day. . . . I was selected to be apart of a jury. All I can say about it right now is that it is a criminal trial. Its expected to last until Thanksgiving.
Although I cant talk about what was going on, there is a thought that resurfaced these last few days. It first started a few years ago, during my Books & Basketball days. After getting to know a few kids, and becoming friends with them, I realized something. Maybe this isnt true for everyone, or for most people that grow up in an urban setting. But it was something that I heard alot about, and continue to see throughout my life in Boston. . . .
It seems that many, many people fight over a simply idea. Respect. Its not for food, shelter, clothes, education, or anything tangible. But for "Respect." An arguement can start from a simple look of disrepect, or a small, short disrespecting comment. But one thing that I dont understand, is that true respect is given when it is received. To truly respect a person, you will thus feel respect back from that person. Atleast, that has been my experience. But in this world where a person is willing to die in order to gain the respect that they think/feel they deserve, people arent willing to give respect in the same manner. So this leads me to wonder: What is "respect" then? What is it that they are looking for? What is it that they are willling to fight to the death for? . . . And how can we help to change this? How can we help to give them a real reason for living? This thus brings me to a discuss I had this evening with a few church friends. It was about bringing a broken heart and contrite spirit unto the Lord and he will make us the best we can be. When we truly give our desires and will to the Lord, do we then become who we were destined to be. Its is the Lord that we are to respect. It is the Lord that we are to fight to the death for. It is the Lord that turns the respect. Ok, maybe those arent completely coherant thoughts. (But it has been a long day, and is currently passed my bedtime. . . . )
Although I cant talk about what was going on, there is a thought that resurfaced these last few days. It first started a few years ago, during my Books & Basketball days. After getting to know a few kids, and becoming friends with them, I realized something. Maybe this isnt true for everyone, or for most people that grow up in an urban setting. But it was something that I heard alot about, and continue to see throughout my life in Boston. . . .
It seems that many, many people fight over a simply idea. Respect. Its not for food, shelter, clothes, education, or anything tangible. But for "Respect." An arguement can start from a simple look of disrepect, or a small, short disrespecting comment. But one thing that I dont understand, is that true respect is given when it is received. To truly respect a person, you will thus feel respect back from that person. Atleast, that has been my experience. But in this world where a person is willing to die in order to gain the respect that they think/feel they deserve, people arent willing to give respect in the same manner. So this leads me to wonder: What is "respect" then? What is it that they are looking for? What is it that they are willling to fight to the death for? . . . And how can we help to change this? How can we help to give them a real reason for living? This thus brings me to a discuss I had this evening with a few church friends. It was about bringing a broken heart and contrite spirit unto the Lord and he will make us the best we can be. When we truly give our desires and will to the Lord, do we then become who we were destined to be. Its is the Lord that we are to respect. It is the Lord that we are to fight to the death for. It is the Lord that turns the respect. Ok, maybe those arent completely coherant thoughts. (But it has been a long day, and is currently passed my bedtime. . . . )
Monday, November 5, 2007
10 Days Out West
I just spent the last 10 days across the West Coast. 4 days in Phoenix, 2 in San Francisco, and 4 in Salt Lake City. I decided to get out west and visit friends and family. It was an interesting trip. I wish I took more pictures. . . . But all in all, it was a good time. Alittle to many places and not enough time to relax. But many, many good friends and familiar faces. Thank you to all those that drove miles to come and visit me, that let me crash at your house, that laughed with me, and shared your stories with me. I appreciate all of you, my wonderful friends!
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