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Show MEET RICHIE RICH. Whyshould a Jury decision be unanimous for convic- tion? _John Stone: Allentown,P Pa. Because the accused is to be lying. Deliberations tobe innocentuntil proved guilty began, and we took turns and because it’s so difficult to get speaking. Some jurors that many people to agree on any- leaned toward conviction fj thing, ajury trial virtually ensures onboth counts but weren’t fi that no innocent person will be certain. The defendant convicted. But it also ensuresthat may well have committed guilty people willnot be convict- the crimes, we knew, but edunless the evidence is so obvi- there was simply no physousthat it convinces even the most ical evidence whatsoever—not foolish juror of the 12. That’s a fiber, not a hair, not a single Be yon tl one reason why so many guilty drop of blood. Should he be condefendants wantjury trials. victed anyway?The last to speak, Yu WOued There is no Constitutional I said that evenif there had been rightthat a jury be composed of a person amongthosetestifying 12 peopleor that its verdict must whohad claimed to be an eye- leel safe be unanimous. And opponents witness,I would be hard-pressed call the jury trial an amateurish to vote “guilty” in the absence of with @ ritual that has long outlived its any evidence. usefulness. Mostcivil-law counThefirst vote on the rape tries have eliminated them, and charge was|| for acquittal, one bry trial? more than 90% ofalll ey j trials for conviction. After discussion, are now held in the U.S. Perhaps the second vote was unanimous the O.J. Simpson trial will serve for acquittal. More discussion asa catalyst for change. followed, and eventually the vote First is the issue of compe- on the murder charge was unantence.It is clear that a judge has imous for acquittal too. Later, the training, experience and men- backin the jury room, the court tal capacity to understand the case clerk suddenly burst through the and the law better than a group door. “Great verdict!” she said. ofordinary citizens whose names The jurors were taken aback. Un| have been drawnat random. like us, she seemed so certain. jubilantcourt police officer Second is the issue of cost and delay. Juries are very expensive then arrived. “Thank heaven,”she and contribute heavilyto the de- said. “I was so afraid forthat poor lays rampantin the judicial sys- guy. You did the right thing. Now tem. It takes far more time to pre- an innocent man will go free!” sent a case to them than to ajudge. The jurors appeared stunned. We My own experience as a juror all were aware of how easily it was sobering. The charge was mur- could have gonethe other way. der in the second degree and rape Thenthe judge too said he was in the first degree. The judge said pleased with ourverdict. The juthis was a simple case. We were rors nearly stopped talking enshown three graphic crime-scene tirely. Onesaid hefelt silly. Howsafe would wefeel as a photos, called “People’s Exhibit No. 1,”followed by Exhibit Nos. 2 country if a randomselection of and 3—a knife and pillowcase. citizens were convened to make The judge was intelligent and care- upthe Supreme Court each time ful;thejury was a pack ofwild cards. a case wasto be decided? Wewere informed thatfiber tests were inconclusive, as were hair and blood tests. Nothing was conclusive, including the medical reports. To make matters worse, most of the witnesses—who,like the dead woman, were drug addicts and prostitutes—appeared ANSWER TO LAST WEEK’S BRAINTEASER:No, notsix! There would be 12 eyes. in a normal deck, each face card has two faces. | To respond to the above question—or if you have a question tor Marilyn vos Savant, who is listed in “The Guinness Book of World Records” Hall of Fame for “Highest IQ” 17, Because of vol—write to: Ask Marilyn, PARADE, 711 Third Ave., New Vork, N.Y. ume of mail, personal replies are not possible. PARADE MAGAZINE - MAY 26, 1995 - PAGE 23 He's the world’s richestkid. Buthis greatest adventure only costs you $22%. Ownit on Video WASTEBGpsc \SLEERETERSreneowen PATSCATERTANMESTCOMPANY POCAOR an MMCALA) CVD ne DATS “FMFI OC i a 2 “Richie Rich” and Richie Rich characters are ® & © by Harvey Comic, Ine. A H Entertainment A Time Warner Entertainment. Company |
