Double-Murder Trial

I was selected to serve on a jury about 20 years ago. It was a double homicide. A drug lord killed a guy and his brother for "using the merchandise" and skimming off the top. There were no witnesses and no real evidence, but people on the streets new and were talking about it. They were scared to death of this guy and no one wanted to testify.

When they called the jurors into the courtroom and began the questioning for selection, I KNEW I'd be chosen. I can't remember the exact question they were asking, but I definitely remember my answer. It went something like this:

Defense Attorney steps in front of Juror #1.
Defense Attorney: Juror 1 do you believe that a person is innocent until proven guilty?
Juror #1: Yes, I believe that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

Defense Attorney steps in front of Juror #2.
Defense Attorney: Juror 2?
Juror #2: Yeah, a person is innocent until proven guilty.

Defense Attorney steps in front of Juror #3.
Defense Attorney: Juror 3?
Juror #3: Um, no I can't always agree with that.
Defense Attorney: This juror is dismissed.

Defense Attorney steps in front of Juror #4 - ME!!
Defense Attorney: Juror 4?
Me: Yes?
I paused and don't say another word. I didn't assume that he was asking me the same question because all he did was say "Juror 4?". I waited... for a specific question to be asked.
Defense Attorney: Do you believe that a person is innocent until proven guilty?
Me: Yes, I do. I believe that a person is innocent until proven guilty?

I KNEW they were going to choose me because I didn't assume I knew what question they were going to ask. I waited for them to ask it. And I was the only juror candidate in the room who did that. Sure enough, I was selected. It was a 4-day trial and we ended up finding the defendant GUILTY. I remember the verdict had to be unanimous and how the jurors had to talk and come to an agreement. We had pictures of the dead victims and the scene of the murder and everything. After the trial, we had undercover detectives and police come in and tell us that we did the right thing. They said there was a lot of info they had that was inadmissable evidence and it couldn't be used in the trial. They herded us out of the courtroom together and down a secret corridor to get us out of the court house safely and away from the eyes of any of this "friends". It was a really interesting experience. If called upon, I would definitely do it again.

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