I thought this show was a waste, a huge waste.
That being said I want to admit that I have been on several mock juries in the central Florida area before.
My thoughts:
The mock juries I participated in were conducted by Defense attorneys prior to their case going to trial. The jurors merely answered want ads in the newspaper and called a number and after a few questions were told if they qualify.
I went to the attorney's office and then to a room set up like a courtroom. We were all given lots of food, snacks, non alcoholic beverages and were treated very well. There was discussion about the case and some evidence was presented and then we were asked lots of questions and then told to debate.
This was done in the evening after work and a time limit was given and this whole thing took about 3 hours from start to me walking out the door with my check of $100 for partipating.
On my jury there were many who did this all the time for the $ as they were unemployed or just needed the extra money. A few, like me, were just curious.
Although I felt it was interesting and I felt somewhat important to do it, it was not real and my decision was made much more lightly than if it was an actual trial.
So... this 48 hours junk report showed a jury that was not death qualified , had people getting paid to talk, have fun, joke around, eat and drink and be told that they would be on national TV and were paid. They also had to sign lots of waivers and contracts for this appearance.
They were not given real jury instructions or shown autopsy photos or presented all evidence. Most importantly, it was not a real trial and the seriousness of actually making a life and death decision was not there.
I also believe that what the "dream on" team wanted was to get out the idea that "lesser charges" are a better verdict.
That was what was shown in the last few minutes and also that the judge will allow this as part of the jury instructions.
They are trying to get ICA from being fround quilty of the 1st Degree Murder charge as that is what will give her the death penalty.
One last thought, was LKB threatening the judge, before he even made a decision on admitting critical evidence, that if he did allow it in it would be an appeal issue?
The threatening way she said it and the fact that a defense team member was paid (whether in $ or publicity) to conduct a fake jury on national TV is unethical for both CBS and members of the Florida Bar.