The trial is over because a mistrial was declared. It seems the defendent had to be hospitalized due to pneumonia and heart problems. This is the SECOND time he has done that. Kind of odd that, huh? :dubious: During voire dire he was sitting in a wheelchair. Yesterday, he seemed fine and was walking around. In fact, he went out to smoke and another juror and I had to walk away because the idiot was talking.
Here’s the deal, the defendent was accused of manufacturing meth, having illegal weapons AND ammo. Two of the weapons were loaded and fireable. The rest, although unloaded, were also in working order. He had rifles, handguns and a sawed off shotgun. The weapons were illegal because he’s a convict. In addition, the property he was manufacturing the meth on was less than 1000 feet from a school bus stop which brings a whole 'nother special charge.
There were nearly 500 pieces of evidence the state wanted to admit. The defense attorney objected to two-thirds of them. Some objections could be understood, but the rest she objected to because they made her client look guilty. DUH! He WAS guilty. He admitted to manufacturing meth THREE times in three separate statements. Statements that were accepted as legal because the defendant was advised of his Miranda rights before making the statements and still wanting to go ahead and make the statements. The state had already made a compelling case as to the meth manufacturing and the presence of weapons. In addition, the defendent’s fingerprints were found on some of the meth manufacturing items. Finding fingerprints on meth manufacturing items is a rarity because the acids generally eat away the prints.
The charges that would have added to the length of his possible sentence were of course the weapons charges (NINE OF THEM!) and the distance from a school bus stop.
In all honesty, I know the defense attorney was doing her job, but even the JUDGE was annoyed. Additionally, I think they were basically going to accept prosecution for the meth charges but really wanted to fight the weapons charges.
We found out quite a bit from the prosecuting attorney after we were dismissed. She came in and talked to us and answered our questions. This is the second time they’ve tried to prosecute this guy in the last year on the same charges and both times he’s pulled this hospitalization stunt when things were looking grim for him. The prosecuting attorney said she’s going to try again because his meth operation was huge. It was contained in three different buildings.
The prosecuting attorney told us that there was much more compelling evidence to come during the duration of the trial. I would have wanted to see that.
In all of this, they did not bring sale of meth into the charges because there was just no credible proof. However, it is interesting to note that he does not have a job and we were curious as to how he paid the rent of the property and buildings and just normal everyday living expenses.
All the above being said, I would have considered all evidence if this trial had followed through to the end. If there had been ANY reasonable doubt, I would have had vote not guilty. However, as it stands now, the tide of evidence against him was huge and had this been the end, I would have voted guilty.
So, there you have it. My exciting trial. I still have to call in all this week to see if I need to report in, but I don’t think I’ll have to report in. At least, I hope not.
I *LOVE * the comic! It’s definitely going to be posting in my cube.
When I get my license and a car I can go do my OWN runs! (Course I probably couldn’t afford them then… but still.)