Just read part 1 and 2. Thanks for sharing this, Jim. I'm sorry you have to live with the details of that crime, but I'm glad you were part of the jury--foreman at that!
Hey, appreciate that, Sean. It was months of learning what people are capable of doing to each other. That one, was just the worst I remember and its nothing compared to the victims and the families of those victims. On the flip side though, it allowed me to learn some other things as well and to try to involve myself in something of real value. I also remember positive, good things. Met some very committed people too. I prefer fiction for sure, but occasionally I get compelled to write about other things. Thanks again for reading and commenting, Sean. - Jim
Sorry - I am just getting around to reading this, Jim. Excellent detailing here. I felt like I was in the room, seeing everything. And I know this feeling very well: "I recall having a totally nonsensical thought that I was in some sort of trouble, what I had no idea, but this couldn’t be good. My mind raced and I felt guilty of some long-forgotten offense." Hah. I will go read part 2 right now.
I have been summoned to jury duty at least 25 times in the 40+ years I have lived in Texas. Entering the auditorium, I also felt I had entered the system. And I had. As a prospective juror, I was now a part of the justice system and was under the control of said system until I was dismissed. And I resented it. But I understood my civic duty, answered questions honestly, and was not picked for a jury for the first 12 years. Then I became self-employed and served on five juries, all first degree felony charges, during the next 13 years. Every jury returned a guilty verdict. I don't regret my service on those juries even though one time I lost a $30,000 dollar-a-year customer because of it. I figured I was there for a reason. Most of my fellow jurors took their jobs seriously, as I did. My service only lasted a few days each time. Grand Juries can meet for weeks or months. Good on you, Jim, for standing up and for accepting the foreman's position.
Thanks so much for the great comment K.C. There is no doubt, it's a supreme pain in the ---. But there is something about it that felt right. You felt, as I did, that it was important. It meant something. We were participating in something that was so much bigger than ourselves and it was a duty, of sorts. I don't know, hard to explain, right? When I think back on it, 18 months is a helluva long time even it was only once a week, but at the end of the day, I'm glad I was involved. Again, I appreciate you reading and commenting K.C. - Jim
To have that hanging over your head for eighteen months is quite a burden, then you had the added responsibility of foreman. I’m glad the overall experience was a positive one for you. I felt the same way about my jury service. Did we make the right decision on guilt or innocence and on length of punishment? I will never know for sure, but I had no doubts at the time. I was always one of the last to vote for guilt because I wanted a thorough review and commentary on the evidence presented at trial.
Jennifer thanks so much for reading and commenting. I'm glad you liked it. Actually there were many, many cases. I will highlight a very memorable one for sure and possibly another, in Part 2. There is a lot of 'behind the scene' info and the inner workings of a federal grand jury in the next post. Hopefully I won't put anyone to sleep with it, haha.
Hi Martine, well I hope you enjoyed it. As I mentioned in the intro, this not a fictional story so it might not be everyone's cup of tea. It surely involves crime and wrongdoing, in an indirect way, but it's really more of an account. An account and memory of a period of time that I was involved with something much bigger than myself. When I look back at it, what I experienced and learned during that time was pretty damn significant. Hopefully, part two will deliver something of value to whoever reads it. Thanks so much for reading. - Jim
This is fascinating, Jim. I'm looking forward to the next part. I'm glad you took up the challenge.
I have been through the voir dire process several times over the years and have always been excused for various reasons which was a relief while I was working. Now that I'm retired, I wouldn't mind serving on a jury. I'm very interested to hear more about your experience.
Yeah, I didn't know what to expect but I knew a federal grand jury would be different than a jury duty I had already served several years before. Different is putting it mildly, in many ways. It really did change me and my outlook on being a U.S. citizen. Sounds kind of corny, but it's true, at least for me. Helped me appreciate what we all have and not take some things for granted. I should have Part 2 done some time this weekend and then that'll probably be it, but we'll see. Thanks for your continuous support, Jimbo. Very much appreciated. - Jim
I can’t wait to see what type of case this is. A coworker years ago got onto a grand jury case in Manhattan re: espionage. The jury had to be hidden behind a screen.
Thanks for reading Alison. Yes, there were times that it all got a little crazy. I believe (not sure) that every state probably differs in terms of the parameters that their federal grand jury operates under. We reviewed and ruled on, (this is just an estimate,) probably over a hundred cases over the course of just over a year. Needless to say, more details to come. I'm sure readers will be relieved to know that I'll only be discussing one, maybe two cases - in a very discreet way, that will be missing some details. I'm not sure where this series is going but it will be short. Might end with Part 2, might be a Part 3 if people enjoy it. Thanks again Alison. - Jim
Thank you, Shandi! I appreciate you reading and commenting. So glad you liked it. It was a surreal experience for me and on that I will never, ever forget. Thanks again, Jim
Just read part 1 and 2. Thanks for sharing this, Jim. I'm sorry you have to live with the details of that crime, but I'm glad you were part of the jury--foreman at that!
Hey, appreciate that, Sean. It was months of learning what people are capable of doing to each other. That one, was just the worst I remember and its nothing compared to the victims and the families of those victims. On the flip side though, it allowed me to learn some other things as well and to try to involve myself in something of real value. I also remember positive, good things. Met some very committed people too. I prefer fiction for sure, but occasionally I get compelled to write about other things. Thanks again for reading and commenting, Sean. - Jim
Sorry - I am just getting around to reading this, Jim. Excellent detailing here. I felt like I was in the room, seeing everything. And I know this feeling very well: "I recall having a totally nonsensical thought that I was in some sort of trouble, what I had no idea, but this couldn’t be good. My mind raced and I felt guilty of some long-forgotten offense." Hah. I will go read part 2 right now.
I have been summoned to jury duty at least 25 times in the 40+ years I have lived in Texas. Entering the auditorium, I also felt I had entered the system. And I had. As a prospective juror, I was now a part of the justice system and was under the control of said system until I was dismissed. And I resented it. But I understood my civic duty, answered questions honestly, and was not picked for a jury for the first 12 years. Then I became self-employed and served on five juries, all first degree felony charges, during the next 13 years. Every jury returned a guilty verdict. I don't regret my service on those juries even though one time I lost a $30,000 dollar-a-year customer because of it. I figured I was there for a reason. Most of my fellow jurors took their jobs seriously, as I did. My service only lasted a few days each time. Grand Juries can meet for weeks or months. Good on you, Jim, for standing up and for accepting the foreman's position.
Thanks so much for the great comment K.C. There is no doubt, it's a supreme pain in the ---. But there is something about it that felt right. You felt, as I did, that it was important. It meant something. We were participating in something that was so much bigger than ourselves and it was a duty, of sorts. I don't know, hard to explain, right? When I think back on it, 18 months is a helluva long time even it was only once a week, but at the end of the day, I'm glad I was involved. Again, I appreciate you reading and commenting K.C. - Jim
To have that hanging over your head for eighteen months is quite a burden, then you had the added responsibility of foreman. I’m glad the overall experience was a positive one for you. I felt the same way about my jury service. Did we make the right decision on guilt or innocence and on length of punishment? I will never know for sure, but I had no doubts at the time. I was always one of the last to vote for guilt because I wanted a thorough review and commentary on the evidence presented at trial.
Haha, I saw that end coming. Looking forward to part II—thanks for sharing
Hi Jake, thanks so much for reading and commenting. Really appreciate it . I just posted Part 2. Thanks again. - Jim
Well begun. I can't wait to see where this is going and what kind of case it is.
Thanks, Jim!
Jennifer thanks so much for reading and commenting. I'm glad you liked it. Actually there were many, many cases. I will highlight a very memorable one for sure and possibly another, in Part 2. There is a lot of 'behind the scene' info and the inner workings of a federal grand jury in the next post. Hopefully I won't put anyone to sleep with it, haha.
That's very interesting to me. I've been called for jury duty but never served.
Your story could influence someone to stay and see the process through, rather than sabotage their own chances.
Very curious to see how this going...
Hi Martine, well I hope you enjoyed it. As I mentioned in the intro, this not a fictional story so it might not be everyone's cup of tea. It surely involves crime and wrongdoing, in an indirect way, but it's really more of an account. An account and memory of a period of time that I was involved with something much bigger than myself. When I look back at it, what I experienced and learned during that time was pretty damn significant. Hopefully, part two will deliver something of value to whoever reads it. Thanks so much for reading. - Jim
This is fascinating, Jim. I'm looking forward to the next part. I'm glad you took up the challenge.
I have been through the voir dire process several times over the years and have always been excused for various reasons which was a relief while I was working. Now that I'm retired, I wouldn't mind serving on a jury. I'm very interested to hear more about your experience.
Yeah, I didn't know what to expect but I knew a federal grand jury would be different than a jury duty I had already served several years before. Different is putting it mildly, in many ways. It really did change me and my outlook on being a U.S. citizen. Sounds kind of corny, but it's true, at least for me. Helped me appreciate what we all have and not take some things for granted. I should have Part 2 done some time this weekend and then that'll probably be it, but we'll see. Thanks for your continuous support, Jimbo. Very much appreciated. - Jim
I can’t wait to see what type of case this is. A coworker years ago got onto a grand jury case in Manhattan re: espionage. The jury had to be hidden behind a screen.
Thanks for reading Alison. Yes, there were times that it all got a little crazy. I believe (not sure) that every state probably differs in terms of the parameters that their federal grand jury operates under. We reviewed and ruled on, (this is just an estimate,) probably over a hundred cases over the course of just over a year. Needless to say, more details to come. I'm sure readers will be relieved to know that I'll only be discussing one, maybe two cases - in a very discreet way, that will be missing some details. I'm not sure where this series is going but it will be short. Might end with Part 2, might be a Part 3 if people enjoy it. Thanks again Alison. - Jim
Also it’s a reminder that while our system isn’t perfect it is something to be appreciated.
Can't wait to read the rest!
Thank you, Shandi! I appreciate you reading and commenting. So glad you liked it. It was a surreal experience for me and on that I will never, ever forget. Thanks again, Jim