Jury duty from hell

[KillerMuffin]

Could you stand as a fair juror in the trial of Andrea Yates? They're set to begin jury selection beginning on Monday.

 

[Tim1]

Nope

I couldn't, but there alot people who probably don't know a thing about the case. Just like there are roughly 20% of the population who can't name the Vice President.

 

[wkdclwn]

I doubt it

Personally speaking I doubt that I could be impartial in the jury and would tell them so. I don`t know if they will be able to get a total impartial jury for a situation like that. Be very hard indeed.

 

[stargazer]

I worked for a judge for several years. I know all the hoops that had to have been jumped through to get to trial. No, there is no way that I could ever be impartial on any jury.

 

[Rubyfruit]

No, I couldn't do it.

 

[fgarvb1]

Yes, But i don't want to. The stress of such a trial i dread.

 

[kiwiwolf]

Okay... I'll bite. Who is Andrea Yates and what is she accused of?

 

[Rubyfruit]

Kiwi

http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/special/01/drownings/index.html

I can't tell you about it myself. I literally get sick to my stomach even thinking about this crime.

 

[P. B. Walker]

I'm glad you asked first kiwiwolf... lol

- PBW

 

[P. B. Walker]

Oh man.. now way they find a completely impartial jury... she's gonna fry... crazy biatch <cus the french>.

- PBW

 

[cyn1959]

I've never heard of this case, either. ...what's going on?

And I can't believe it but last week I was sent a letter to appear for jury duty!!!!Ahhhhhhh!!!! I am scared as hell by the whole system...

 

[kashmir]

What?

She’s fucking insane..

She said she did it.
She called the police and gave details on how she did it.

What can she plead now?
Um...
Guilty cuz she is fucking insane.


What the Hell is a jury supposed to decide?

 

[kiwiwolf]

Re: Kiwi

http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/special/01/drownings/index.html

I can't tell you about it myself. I literally get sick to my stomach even thinking about this crime.

Oh shit... Thanks Ruby... I think. Not only couldn't I be impartial, I would be clammering for the honour to drop the hammer on the bitch. I can't imagine anyone doing that. I'm a father of 4 and would kill or die to protect them.

 

[morninggirl5]

I think the jury will be deciding guilty vs insanity.

Does anyone know if guilty but mentally ill is an option for Tx juries?

I couldn't be impartial at all, I think it will be truly hard to find a jury that is.

 

[patient1]

I don't know what a jury is supposed to decide ,either.
Can't a judge sentence her?


If it's for sentencing, They'd tell me to go home because I don't believe in the death penalty.

 

[Debbie]

There was a short part programme screened on New Zealand tv last week on this case.
No I could not be a juror in this case.

Those poor, innocent kids.

 

[xzchief]

Could you stand as a fair juror in the trial of Andrea Yates? They're set to begin jury selection beginning on Monday.

Of course, I can be impartial. *cough* *fry her* *cough* I am a very fair-minded and kind-hearted soul.

 

[Ladyhawke]

Being a mother myself I could not even begin to be impartial. That someone could do that to their own children is just beyond all comprehension to me.

 

[Weevil]

Oh man.. now way they find a completely impartial jury... she's gonna fry... crazy biatch <cus the french>.

- PBW

Hey, Am I the only one who thinks PBW is coming real close to trademark violation? Or is he some well thought of satire upon my own prodigous self?

 

[Siren]

She is entitled to a jury of her peers not a judge

 

[Unclebill]

Originally posted by KillerMuffin
Could you stand as a fair juror in the trial of Andrea Yates? They're set to begin jury selection beginning on Monday.

Yes, I could participate as an impartial juror. But the fact that I know from news reports that she admitted to drowning them in her bathtub would probably get me excused on the first round by the defense.

Originally posted by Tim1
Just like there are roughly 20% of the population who can't name the Vice President.

That's Lon Chaney, right?

Originally posted by cyn1959
And I can't believe it but last week I was sent a letter to appear for jury duty!!!!Ahhhhhhh!!!! I am scared as hell by the whole system...

If you've never been exposed to jury duty before and would like to be a bit more knowledgeable and perhaps comfortable with the prospect of it, there's some good information at this link. They provide some interesting articles and info regarding trial by jury, the ideas behind the concept as outlined by the founders as a check on the power of government, etc.

The founders envisioned the citizen juror as a final check and balance against excessive government authority by assigning the responsibility and authority to judge not only the case before the court, but the law as well and to find not guilty if the law was determined to be bad law.

http://www.fija.org/

 

[Rubyfruit]

Siren,

If she gets the insanity walk, I say she must also be rendered sterile. Who knows if she'll flip again.

I'm a parent. Yes, children can drive you insane. Yes, I've had to give myself a time out so I don't beat the living crap out of them. But to kill them? Hold down their little defenseless bodies under water until they stop moving?

That takes some kind of insanity I'm (thankfully) unaware of. Their is a basic instinct to protect children above all else. It drives my every waking moment. I can't imagine what type of craziness it takes to override that.

 

[Sassy7]

No, I could not be impartial as a juror. Being a mother and a Grandmother, I cannot understand what she did. I would die for my kids and grandkids. I don't believe in the death penalty, but in this case I think I could almost make an exception. I hope she doesn't get off on an insanity plea, and spends the rest of her life locked up.

 

[Siren]

As I said, she should get psych treatment and then

 

[lazarus UK]

Ok, I've browsed some of the Houston news and had a quick look at the Yates website. Off to work now, so I'll get back later tonight:

So for starters, some thoughts and questions:

1) Why the delay in the psychiatric report?

(In UK the psychiatrist is not supposed to be biased to defence or prosecution and all murder defendants are psychiatrically assessed - Dietz sounds scary... )

On an extension of the presumption of innocence, the crime requires mens rea as well as the actus reus - hence the question of mental state is critical

2) Is there an infanticide charge available in Texas?

(UK would be automatic for the 6 month old baby)

3) What psychiatric disposals are available in Texas?

4) "Frying the bitch" may not be appropriate ... her husband doesn't seem to think so ... and he may have a point.

(In the UK the second commonest cause of maternal death in the puerperium is suicide ... so don't discount postnatal mental illness)

It's not possible to help the children now, but that isn't a necessary reason to execute their mother.

Oh, btw the risk in subsequent pregnancies is low ...