
Originally Posted by
Placroix
Since a few of you are posting your trial experiences, I thought I would share mine. A few funny things happened. My day goes back to January. I'm a newbie here and still figuring out how to navigate the site like the pros that you all are. I had jury duty somewhere in the middle of January. Much to my joy, the jury holding cell is on the first floor of the East Court building. The trial is on the 5th floor. After two jury group go rounds, I got dismissed. Bummer. I went up to the 5th floor to scope it out. It was a ghost town, except for one witness that was waiting to be called. No one in the outside chairs. I took me about an hour to get up the nerve to go in. I didn't know how big the room was and certainly didn't want to call attention to myself. After going through two sets of doors, I stood at the back trying to figure out where to sit. JA side on the right, TA the left. The only seats on TA side available were the furthest from me. I didn't want to do the "excuse me, pardon me" movie theater thing. Draws too much attention. So I see the whole front row available next to Stabby's mom and aunt. I go up there and make my move. Stabby's aunt puts her leg up on the wood barrier to block me and says "who the hell are you?" (TRUE STORY) I stand there speechless. Now I am definitely noticed. Ah shit. I'm picturing me, the idiot, who disrupted the trial on the evening news. So, luckily, Stabby Mom says to her sis, "it's ok, there is plenty of room" My heart was pounding. I take my seat. The testimony that day was some boring cell phone expert, so I spent the time observing JA and the jury. On the jury...three stand out. Of course, number 5, due to the tri-colored hair. An older gentlemen with a long white ponytail wearing head to toe denim (he sits alone on a bench out front during every break, but probably doesn't anymore) And then a short, Hispanic male, mid 30's, with a ponytail. He tripped me out due to his outfit of khaki shorts, tennis shoes, and a concert tee. Who wears this shit to sit on a jury??? No one impressed me. I remember thinking, "oh god, I hope these people get it." I put two seats between me and Stabby Mom (ya never know, like daughter, like mother) I was directly behind JA but she was kind of far away. The courtroom is huge. I saw the back of her head mostly. She looks very thin and frail. Her clothes were way too big and her hair way too 10 year old. This on purpose of course. Unlike her shenanigans these days, she did not turn around. During afternoon break, I end up in the ladies room with Travis's sister at the sinks. If you think she looks skinny on tv, you should see her in person (camera adds 10 pounds) It just breaks your heart to imagine what she has been going through. I gave her that "I'm sorry" smile in the mirror. She returned the smile. Then to make a long story longer, I'm waiting for the elevator standing next to Super Juan. I'm only 4 foot 11. I looked him in the eye. Guessing that he is about 5 foot 3 maybe 4. Elevators are horrible in this building. He says to this guy, "the elevators in this building are worse than an anal probe." (TRUE STORY) Me, Juan, and the guy bust out laughing. I smile at him all the way down in the elevator. He smiles back. He seems like a very like-able genuine guy. Makes me understand his passion even more. After 3pm break, I make sure to get there early so as not to be yelled at by Stabby aunt. I take my seat behind the Alexander family and in front of Radaronline peeps. After court, I leave for my car and a local reporter with a camera chases me down and wants to know how I am related to JA. Huh? I explain that I am an observer. He seems disappointed. We chat for a few minutes. Before he leaves me, he says, "just so you know, the front row is reserved for family members." Well, EXCUSE ME. I must brush up on my death penalty etiquette. I guess it's like a wedding. Who knew? I have thought about going back until I saw a guy dancing out front in a bunny suit on the news. It's getting weird people. Sorry for droning on. I thought you all would enjoy. I would love to read other stories. Please share.