Prudence. . . jurisprudence

I'm as proud as a peacock. On Tuesday, in her latest adventure as a juror, first born was selected as foreperson. This is the young lady who, xx years ago, so tentatively delivered the clever high school valedictory speech (I wrote for/with her), that she has avoided public speaking ever since, but I knew she could do it, and my faith has finally been rewarded.

In fact, I am somewhat jealous. Unlike those who try to avoid jury duty, she and I have always welcomed the opportunity for public service. However, she has served on four panels, and although I have been called 3-4 times, I was needed only once.

The prosecutor in this trial was the lame duck District Attorney for whom we had voted, and whose sign we displayed, and although the defense attorney knew much of her connection with him, he did not excuse her. His overconfidence was not misplaced, because the prosecution didn't have much of a case, and the defense decided not to respond. Of the five possible charges, the jury chose the least onerous. They thought it was logical that in the angry confrontation between the young estranged lovers, he probably struck her, not as violently as she and her parents said, and even though the police were not called, she didn't seek medical assistance, and there were no pictures. Obviously, his punishment will be determined by his past record. Drugs and alcohol were mentioned in passing, so there may be something more than a stern talking-to.