Accountability and Judges....

I'm glad I live in Fayette County!

I recently assisted in a trial in another county in which there were two defendants. It does not take a rocket scientist to know that a murder trial with two defendants are most likely going to take a week or two, especially since the two individuals charged with murder were tried together and not severed. Thus there would be a lot of evidence to be presented, witnesses to testify, etc. and it would most definitely be time consuming any way you look at it.

My issue is this: When a trial begins, a jury is selected. Many questions are asked of each juror, and one of the most important questions are "Is there anything that would prevent you from being on this jury throughout the duration of the trial". Now, this is very important, this is the time when a juror should speak up if they have a flight to catch on a specific date that might conflict with his or her ability to full fill their job as a juror, correct?

Shouldn't a Judge be held up to the same standard?
If a Judge has to be in another court in another county on... oh, let's say a week after a murder trial begins, should he not remove himself and pass it over to another Judge who can full fill his duty?

If not, should the Judge continue the case to ensure a "Fair and Just" trial?

What if the Judge in open court tells the prosecutor/defense lawyers AND the jury that they'd better get the evidence/witnesses in by Friday or else he was going to make everyone come back on Saturday and Sunday until a verdict was reached so that he could make his court appearance in another County.

We live in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and we are ALL regardless of age, race, religion, etc. entitled to a fair trial and for a Judge to pressure that process just seems wrong on so many levels.

Might I add...

Submitted by smartpanz on Wed, 12/27/2006 - 9:43pm.

The county in which the murder trial was held KNEW and admitted to my face that they knew my client did NOT murder anyone, however the co-defendant KNEW EXACTLY THE TRUE IDENTITY OF THE SHOOTER? What's the deal folks? If they can't find the real shooter, just round up the next best thing? I think not, in fact the victim's mother even stated that she did not know why my client was being charged with murder...Justice would be FINDING the shooter and putting him on trial...guess some of our surrounding counties just don't care as long as "someone" pays and they can close their case, leaving a killer on the streets!

Barbie Dunn
Fayetteville,GA

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Stroll down Memory Lane

Submitted by Voice of Fayett... on Wed, 12/13/2006 - 6:02am.

One of the funniest stories in Fayette was a criminal trial. On a Friday afternoon the jury was deliberating and apparently not close to a verdict. The Sheriff (not Randall) banged on the jury room door and told the jury to take your time and that if they could not reach a verdict by the close of business on that Friday afternoon that the County would "put them up in the jail for the weekend." 15 minutes later the jury came back with a guilty verdict.

True story.

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In response to Stroll down memory lane

Submitted by smartpanz on Wed, 12/13/2006 - 9:09am.

That is kinda funny, however I firmly believe that the right to a fair trial includes allowing the jury to take what ever time necessary to reach a verdict. No one should be rushed/pressured or threatened to "hurry up"...I hardly call that fair.

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