Jury Duty

Today I must report to the Bernalillo County Courthouse in downtown Albuquerque. I have been selected to serve as a potential juror in a murder trial. On May 11th, I met with 144 other citizens of our county and filled out a 15 page questionnaire. The questions were designed to give the lawyers for the Defense and Prosecution a good understand of an individual’s values and beliefs. Many of the questions were about opinions on minorities, drug use, selling drugs, and the death penalty.

Almost exactly 20 years ago, I served as a juror on another murder trial. It was one of the most chilling and disturbing things I have ever done. Hearing awful details on how this man executed 4 people as well as viewing the autopsy photos was not an easy thing. It was even harder to realize this man’s fate was our hands.

I consider myself a responsible citizen of the state as well as our country. It is a right to all citizens to have a trial and be judged by a jury of their peers. Although this isn’t an easy thing to do, I feel an obligation to this individual on trial. He deserves a fair trial. I believe in our court system. If chosen, I would do my very best as a juror.

But, I really hope they don’t pick me!