The Sequestered Jury

[CarolinaWoman]

Last week Judge Perry dismissed court early when ICA was ill. Today court is dismissed at noon and resumes tomorrow at 1:00 PM or 1:30.

I have served on jury duty many times but never a sequestered jury.

What does the jury do with this free time? Are they under guard? Do they each have a private hotel room? They can't discuss the case among themselves, they can't watch TV, surf the internet. Can they check their email? Are they allowed to visit with or talk to their family members on the telephone?

Sunday was their day of rest and I am sure they were ready to go this morning and three hours later they are dismissed for 24 hours. I am a reader and a stack of books will keep me happy but I think I would be getting a bit stir crazy for contact with the outside world. In addition I would be literally dying to discuss the case with fellow jurors.

 

[cluciano63]

I was wondering the same thing.

I would need an escort to go the library a few times a week, I know that much.
I am hoping they were offered a trip to a mall or something this afternoon, and maybe a special breakfast/brunch tomorrow.

 

[denisemb]

The link below indicates the jurors have TV access, although limited.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-04-04/news/os-caey-anthony-trial-juror-televisio20110404_1_casey-anthony-jurors-prosecution

ETA: Yeah, it would also kill me to not be able to discuss this with anyone!!

 

[Harlow]

I googled this very thing just a few days ago to see if there were any first hand accounts of people who had sat on juries who had been sequestered. I was only coming up with videos and I am more of a reader so I am still curious. I will say one thing...it'd drive me nuts not to be able to discuss the case and everything I was hearing with the only people I was allowed to have contact with for 2 months. I know why they can't, but it'd still drive me nuts and likely not make me a good candidate.

 

[4Jacy]

I was wondering the same thing.

I would need an escort to go the library a few times a week, I know that much.
I am hoping they were offered a trip to a mall or something this afternoon, and maybe a special breakfast/brunch tomorrow.

I don't think either of the above would be allowed because of exposure to this case. They (the jurors) might see magazines or overhear conversations about the case in these public places. I'm sure they are provided with all the movies (which would be pre-selected,) along with some TV shows, and, hopefully, very good food. Other then that; they are captives. jmo

 

[repairmom]

I think they are probably spending a lot of time by themselves in their hotel rooms contemplating the enormity of their decision. I think if I was on this jury, I would be struggling with some degree of trauma and emotional issues. They've been submerged in a world where a child was murdered and likely tortured and they are charged with deciding the fate of the murderer. I think I would also be spending a lot of time praying.

 

[cluciano63]

I don't think either of the above would be allowed because of exposure to this case. They (the jurors) might see magazines or overhear conversations about the case in these public places. I'm sure they are provided with all the movies (which would be pre-selected,) along with some TV shows, and, hopefully, very good food. Other then that; they are captives. jmo

I thought if they had the escorts, they could do things. Judge said early on there would be outings. Maybe not places with magazine stands, etc...but they could be taken to a movie or maybe a play or something as long as they are not on their own or a baseball game in Tampa.

 

[cluciano63]

http://volokh.com/posts/1230050259.shtml

Here is one thing they can't do

 

[CarolinaWoman]

http://volokh.com/posts/1230050259.shtml

Here is one thing they can't do

:floorlaugh::floorlaugh::floorlaugh: Darn what a bummer! :floorlaugh::floorlaugh:

 

[octobermoon]

http://volokh.com/posts/1230050259.shtml

Here is one thing they can't do

:woohoo:

 

[Phoebeb]

If I were a juror in this case, I:
1. Would be sick of Jose Baez and his... well most everything
and
2. Be angry that the SA did not have witnesses today and tomorrow morning. I would think it's rude and unprofessional to keep me as a juror a whole day extra. Poor planning.

 

[BeagleMom]

http://volokh.com/posts/1230050259.shtml

Here is one thing they can't do

Call me crazy but as long as the jurors aren't discussing the case I don't think it's anyone's business how they pass the time (as long as it's legal). Personally, I would not engage in this type of behavior while sitting on a jury of this magnitude. I don't think the concept of sex would even cross my mind if I were on that jury. Especially after listening to ICA's revolving bed stories in court.

Now, the deputies....I think that is wrong. Or a deputy with a juror. I'm not for that either. Especially since the deputies are supposed to be working.

I just could not imagine 2 months without substantial human contact. I have to talk to my neice everyday (and she's 25) or I don't feel right. That would not work for me.

Respectfully,
BeagleMom

 

[CarolinaWoman]

I think this jury will probably need some counseling after all they have been exposed to. This is something they will never ever forget.

I watched the OJS trial and there is no comparison to the ICA trial. A beautiful child murdered and thrown away like a bag of trash/garbage.

 

[Leila]

They've been sequestered now for almost a month. There's only so much television, book reading, and cross-word puzzles you can do without getting bored.

I would hope the jurors can take walks so they can get a little exercise on a daily basis. Hopefully, among the 19 jurors they've found some common interests and have things to talk about. Maybe they play card games or board games.

One thing that I think we've all seen is that HHBP is taking extra steps to make sure the jury is treated well, with a lot of little extras.

 

[CarolinaWoman]

Judge Perry has really been good to the jury. He is very respectful of those serving. I really like Judge Perry.

Does anyone know what hotel where they are sequestered? I would think they probably have all on the same floor and maybe a deputy in the hallway.

 

[kantoo]

The jury has asked for specific movies (what was it the other day, the Hangover and something else), specific sporting events, specific food. I think that's probably their main entertainment. I'm also guessing, that if there are readers in the group, they had their book lists pre-approved before coming. I'm hoping they have found card games, etc, that they like to do. I've been away for months before in areas where i was "sequestered" except for special trips (Saudi Arabia for one). The hours get very long in the evening....