We know one way to get out of jury duty in New York: claim that by being gay and treated as a second-class citizen, you cannot fairly uphold the law in court. Here’s one way not to get out of jury duty in New York: claim to be a racist. That’s what Juror No. 799 did in a mob murder trial, writing on her questionnaire that the three people she least admired were “African-Americans, Hispanics and Haitians.” No. 799, an Asian woman in her twenties, will now serve jury duty indefinitely.
Hyhybt
Interesting that the comments on the second story (at least, the first couple pages of them; it’s not worth reading more) all more or less side with Juror 799.
the crustybastard
Notwithstanding the fact Juror 799 is committing perjury by feigning racism to slither out of jury duty, most likely due to the fact states refuse to pay jurors a fair wage…
How is the defense demanding people produce the names of “three people you least admire” even the slightest bit relevant in determining whether a prospective juror can impartially judge an accused mobster?
Look, I’m not naive enough to believe that each side’s lawyers aren’t trying to select a favorable rather than an impartial jury, but it is the judge’s responsibility to step in to keep the voir dire process connected to reality with some respect for the privacy of the venire panel.
In short, it’s hard to decide which party in this story is the most reprehensible, and just based on the fact of the story, it isn’t even the goddam defendant.
TMikel
Well, this has drawn considerable attention to the fact that New York State STILL treats us as second class citizens and denies us marriage equality. If they want to grant us equal rights, they will take away this option.
Alan
Look, from the article:
“You always hear about them in the news doing something.”
“She also declared that cops are all lazy, claiming that they sound their sirens to bypass traffic jams.”
These sound like her honest opinions. Even if she is trying to get out of jury duty, biased individuals like her should NOT serve on juries.
Ken
Gosh, it must be great being a New York City judge! Who knew that judges could not only strip US citizens of their First Amendment right of free speech but also bind them into judicial slavery for the rest of their natural lives? Will this judge be demanding that this asian lady do his laundry for the rest of her natural life as well?