Escape from Jury Duty
I escaped! Yesterday they finally picked all 12 members of the Jury and swore them in. Then after a short recess, it was time to pick the "alternates". There were only about 15 more people left in the pool and of course my name was called. So I go up there and start to answer all the standard questions, occupation, prior service, victim of crime, ever been arrested, etc.
I have been a victim of crime. About 20 or so years ago, I was robbed in Westwood with a group of friends after we got out of a late movie. As we walked back to our car, there was a guy standing on the corner just kind of hanging out - for whatever reason, we didn't think anything was odd about that. Perhaps we were a bit naive, growing up in the suburbs away from this type of stuff. In any case, as we approached him he pulled out his gun and demanded our wallets, watches and jewelry. My velcro wallet contained 10 cents and my high school identification card - so giving it up wasn't really a problem. But I happened to be wearing a watch that I really liked and not wanting to give it up I quickly stuffed it down the front of my pants as he ordered us to turn around and walk away. I saved my watch! But he also took my friend's car keys...so we had no way to get home. We called the police from a closed movie theater and they filed a report and gave us a ride to the nearest police station. We waited for a friend to pick us up and I didn't get home until 6 a.m. the next day.
Of course I didn't go into that much detail in the jury box, but after I explained how I worked with the Santa Ana Police Department creating maps of schools for some big drug bust case. I guess all that info didn't go over well with the defense attorney and I was hastily dismissed from service.
I have been a victim of crime. About 20 or so years ago, I was robbed in Westwood with a group of friends after we got out of a late movie. As we walked back to our car, there was a guy standing on the corner just kind of hanging out - for whatever reason, we didn't think anything was odd about that. Perhaps we were a bit naive, growing up in the suburbs away from this type of stuff. In any case, as we approached him he pulled out his gun and demanded our wallets, watches and jewelry. My velcro wallet contained 10 cents and my high school identification card - so giving it up wasn't really a problem. But I happened to be wearing a watch that I really liked and not wanting to give it up I quickly stuffed it down the front of my pants as he ordered us to turn around and walk away. I saved my watch! But he also took my friend's car keys...so we had no way to get home. We called the police from a closed movie theater and they filed a report and gave us a ride to the nearest police station. We waited for a friend to pick us up and I didn't get home until 6 a.m. the next day.
Of course I didn't go into that much detail in the jury box, but after I explained how I worked with the Santa Ana Police Department creating maps of schools for some big drug bust case. I guess all that info didn't go over well with the defense attorney and I was hastily dismissed from service.
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