This week has been quite surreal for me. It’s ironic to write this today, being April Fool’s Day, but trust me when I say that this is all true. Let me explain everything from the beginning.
About three years ago, my brother was involved in a small accident. Neither party had a significant amount of damage to the car and neither party was hurt, or so we assumed. About a year and a half ago, the gentleman that my brother happened to bump sued my brother for physical injuries and emotional damages. Other details of the case are irrelevant to this story.
Fast forwarding about 11 months, I ended up receiving a summons for jury duty. At the time, I thought nothing of the date on which I was to report. Closer to the event, I realized that I was scheduled to start my service on the same day as my brother’s trial. I show up, having left about five minutes after my brother and father. I didn’t want to arrive or walk in with them, since I was a member of the jury pool. Saying nothing to anyone at the courthouse, I awaited the jury selection. After about three questions from the judge, he asked the jury pool if anyone knew any party in the case. About five of us stood up. Each of the others knew the plaintiff through his job in law enforcement. I was the last to speak, and the whole room broke out in laughter when I announced that I was actually the brother of the defendant. The trial went smoothly and lasted about a day and a half.
Now, we jump ahead to today, April 1. I arrived at the courthouse at 8:30, as instructed by the judge. Once again, the jury pool endured the selection process. Oddly enough, four of the jurors from my brother’s case were selected, along with myself, for today’s criminal trial. We then broke for lunch at about 12:30. After we arrived back, we got down to the actual trial. Opening arguments were heard from the prosecution and the defense attorney. Next, we went on a “field trip” to see locations that were relevant to our case. Upon return, we took one final break, longer than others before. After we finished our break, we returned to the jury box and awaited the first witness. No witness came, however, as the judge announced that the defendant had pleaded guilty to all charges to which he was subject. His likely sentence will be 30 years to life.
With the potential for a smooth and painless first week of jury duty, the reality was quite the opposite.
I got your message the other day. I cannot believe your “luck”. Imagine having to sit in court for four days hearing this case about rape. Needless to say, let’s hope you don’t have jury duty for a long time.
I am going through your site and i clicked on world class mobs. hahaha. i see wrestling! it’s been a while since i’ve watched it:).
That’s because I run it, not Rob. It was a Half-Life mod site, but most people found little interest in it. Where as with wrestling it is a bigger fanbase.