Reply #28: Missed a very juicy case - incest, murder, drugs and money

[Patiod]

One time, I was literally the very last person called at the very end of the day. Everyone else sent home

It was for a murder case where a 17-yo was sleeping with his aunt, and the aunt convinced the boy and his brother to ax-murder her rich husband (their blood uncle). The aunt was released when there was a persecutory screw up, the brother pleaded and served, and now, ten years later, they finally got around to trying the guy, and wanted to fry him.

The judge didn't care that I was starting a new job the following week - too bad.

As it turned out, the next question was "Do you have any problem with the death penalty?" and before I could finish saying "I'm a Quaker", the prosecutor was on his feet, and before HE could finish challenging me, judge said "Patiod, you are dismissed."

I imagine the "I'm a Quaker" thing works better here in SE Penna, where there are enough of us that prosecutors understand the implications of seating one on a capital case jury.

As it turned out, the jury did what I thought was the right thing - find the guy guilty, but sentence him to life rather than the death penalty.