No Excuse, Just Excused

I knew something was foul when I found 455 people called for jury on the same day as me.

I knew something was up when staff was secretive about the case and escorted us 7 at a time up to the courtroom.

I knew I was in big trouble when I stepped off the elevator and there were all the TV Cameras in the hallway looking at us.

I sat there for three hours while the judge graciously explained and talked to the jury. She was actually amazing and very kind.

The case is a high profile manslaughter case involving a Springfield woman and a baby that’s all I’m going to say out of respect for the system and the woman who is innocent until proven guilty.

You all had great suggestions as to ways I could get out of serving (if I were breast feeding that would actually work). But after sitting there a while I really wish I had the time to serve on this case.

The problem is, this trial could take a month or more to try. I told the judge I don’t have that kind of time to give. I have a business and if I don’t work there is no money coming in.

She was very nice but asked if that would be a hardship. I said: We’ll if you call not paying the mortgage or putting food on the table for a month a hardship, yeh, It would be.

She asked me one other really funny question. She wants to make sure jurors are listening to the facts in the case not reading it in the paper or hearing it on the news. When she got to me she said “number 68, would you say disregarding what you see or hear in the media is a good idea for a juror?” I said, yes your honor I’ve seen a whole different side of the business being out here and people should definitely weigh only the evidence they hear in this room.”

So I don’t have to serve which is good news for my business but as Rick Dancer I’d really love the chance to do it.