I went to jury duty again today, where we jurors heard the closing arguments and received our instructions from the judge.
We found the defendent guilty on all counts; driving on a suspended or revoked license in the 2nd degree; driving while under intoxicants, and a special verdict basically stating, she was offered the chance to do a BAC and refused it.
The first verdict was easy, she admitted to it, and the state had entered into evidence the letters she received from the state stating her license had been revoked or suspended.
The second verdict took us a little longer. We basically had to convict the defendent on circumstantial evidence; i.e, the deputy’s testimony and the deputy’s report of the incident. It would take a long time to type out what happened, but we as a group did not find her testimony creditable. Her behaviour, according to the deputy’s testimony, certainly indicated she was impaired, many improper things said to the deputy, couldn’t finish the gaze test, couldn’t stand properly, the smell of alcohol eminating from her, among other things.
Finally, she refused to take the BAC. I’m sorry, but it indicated to me that she had something to hide. She even stated that she’d “Blow that thing off the Richter scale”.
All the same, we felt badly for her. Things are not going well and weren’t going well in her life when this occurred.
Still, she’s the one who made the choice to drive on a suspended and to get behind the wheel drunk.
I have to check over the weekend to see if I report Monday, but was already told, I’m more than likely to have to report.
**Mr. Taters **has had a crappy two weeks at work. He’s been working 12 and 13 hour days. He doesn’t mind if it happens once in awhile, but two weeks running is getting old. Actually, come to think of it, it’s actually been three weeks of these long days. He’s not been in a good mood.
Hugs and kisses to all. Be careful with the coffee maker, Bobbio.
I hope tomorrow is a better day,** FCM **and that you DON’T have to work next week.