This decision was so hard to understand.
They spent 5 months on this trial.
And they give up after 13 hours, wow, mind boggling.
If you cannot agree give her life,
wash your hands, and let the judge
decide her sentence.
Very easy.
But why was it so hard for this jury?
I am shocked and appalled that there is no justice for
the Alexander family.
I really cannot see their victim statements again.
It was so heart wrenching.
Please give this family some prayers, they are such innocent
victims.
Hi Summerfun,
FWIW this is what I feel was the issue that caused the hung jury:
(Other than hung jury) the only two choices the jury had were
Death or
Life.
So if a juror thought she deserved death, they could vote that way.
But what if a juror felt this case did not meet their own personal standard of death?
If they felt that way, then the only choice they would have is Life.
HOWEVER,
if they chose life, then the JUDGE gets to decide if it is LWOP or Life with a possibility of parole.
I think THIS was the HUGE ROADBLOCK to a verdict.
Those that want death MIGHT agree with LWOP, but wouldn’t want to risk JSS allowing JA to ever be out on parole.
Those that felt a life sentence was appropriate, would not want to change to death because they felt it didn’t rise to their personal standard for death.
I feel a concern that JSS might allow a parole option created no way to really compromise.
I personally feel there is NO WAY the judge would give parole option , but have to remind myself that there is a LOT we know that the jurors do not.
Jurors do not know:
*That JSS saw the difference in JA’s demeanor the second the jury leaves the room.
*That the interviews happened or that JSS has been aware of them.
*That JSS has had to deal with irritants from JA like whining about when she eats, how long the day goes or (likely) feigning headaches.
*That due to in chambers meetings JSS knows even more than we do (and therefore, FAR more than the jury knows) about what has REALLY been going on the past 5 months with JA, her lawyers, their witnesses, etc.
*That JSS is probably SICK TO DEATH with the shenanigans of JA and her lawyers.
(I’m sure there are more that I’m not thinking of.)
So the jury (missing all that info) could have a real fear of parole for JA if they gave her life.
I think if they had been able to choose LWOP themselves, they would have been able to compromise/agree on that.
I truly felt the family's pain when I watched the video of the decision announcement. So awful for them to have to possibly face MORE trial, more time away from their lives, jobs, family and the financial burden of it all. How awful for them to have to see the smirk on JA's face because she surely feels "she won".
However, I don't believe they have had justice torn away from them. It is, painfully, justice delayed - but justice WILL be served.
JA has been found guilty of M1 (the BIGGEST issue) and the jury also found it extreme cruelty which opened up the option of DP and ensured some type of life sentence.
Now one of two things will happen:
1. Juan and the family will agree to let her avoid the DP by agreeing to LWOP.
or
2. They will choose to bring in a new jury, do a "mini" version of the trial and let the jury decide.
Either way, justice will come to JA.
She cannot avoid it forever -only for a few more months.
I have heard a lot of really angry, awful things said about the jury today -some here, some in the media, FB or on tv.
I REALLY don't feel it's fair.
They obviously felt terrible they couldn't reach a decision. They KNOW she is a brutal murderer. They KNOW Travis was the victim and the victim was not "mousey-librarian-wanna-be" JA.
I truly, truly feel they were put in a terrible position because of the situation with the parole or no parole issue above.
JMHO.