Morning all :seeya:
I see lots of controversy is coming out!!!!
My 2 cents
*no system is perfect. If one problematic issue is addressed, it often creates a new issue
*majority rules for sentencing...should rely on an 8/4 or better split IMO
*im not overly familiar with jury selection process, but certain things should be automatic disqualification, #17 had issues that should have automatically disqualified her instead of relying on one side or the other "striking" the juror
*#17 should have immediately been disqualified when issue was brought up to JSS. That she wanted to "review" JAs journals should not have been considered a form of "deliberation. That falls woefully short of full participation. Plus she watched "bits" of the movie FGS. And although that's not a problem in and of itself, the fact that she certainly had a bias coming in based b/c of it is a problem.
*people with her previous history with "the courts" should be immediate disqualification.
Jurors are kicked off for the most insignificant of reasons. Remember last time,the one juror was dismissed b/c he got a DUI????? JSS should have kicked her off, as she had at least 3 reasons that were more than likely appeal proof. I strongly believe if JSS made the decision to boot her it would have held up. It wasn't just one issue, it was several.
Part of me believes the DP should be abolished. I'm not against it, I just feel that there's so much wrong with the process (endless appeals, it doesn't seem to deter crime, etc., etc.) that it doesn't seem worth all the effort and conflict. Perhaps revamping sentencing is a better way to go. For example, only in the rarest of cirmcumstances should a killer get less than life in prison.
Whew....more than 2 cents worth!!!!