Reply #9: Three words to get you out of a capital case:

[Patiod]

"I'm a Quaker."

Was called in for a really juicy murder trial the week I was to start a new job (nephew is sleeping with blood-unrelated aunt, and ax-murders his blood-related uncle in order to split his gigantic insur/inheritance with her). It would have been a facinating case, but I really needed the money from the job.

The judge wouldn't let me defer. He also gave me a lecture when I said I'd read about the case and thought the defendent was guilty. But I wasn't worried.

Finally they asked me if I had any problem imposing the death penalty, and I said:

"Well, I'm a Quake...." didn't even finish my sentence before the prosecutor lept to his feet and said:

"Judge I move to..." and the judge didn't even let him finish, just looked at me and said, "Miss O, you are dismissed."

One good thing about living near Philadelphia -- I didn't have to explain anything. The judge seemed a little pissed though - the case had gotten a lot of publicity, and they were having a hell of a time seating a jury.

What did you do about money during the 18-month Grand Jury service? I always thought that would be a terrible hardship.