Okay, NOW I can talk about it - Page 2

Moonliner · 02-17-2006, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

And she made sure to mention that she practices Wicca and often meets with her Coven (I think it was a question about religion)

You pegans get all the great benefits. All I ever get is stale bread and cardboard box quality wine. Pity I don't believe in transubstantiation. Even that would have to taste better than the wine...

Kevy Baby · 02-17-2006, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Was she ever in the same room with these turds?

On the first day, no (she was in one of the other court rooms linked via CCTV). But on Tuesday (when she was interviewed by the judge and lawyers) she was. As was mentioned in the article, the defendants were all cleaned up and well dressed, acting quite personable. However, what couldn't be seen by the jury was the fact that the defense tables were specially built to hide the fact that these guys were chained to the floor!

Quote:

Armed with a shank, Barry "The Baron" Mills, the kingpin of the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang, nearly decapitated an inmate in a bathroom stall for hoarding drugs.

Edgar "The Snail" Hevle, a trusted lieutenant in the Brotherhood, allegedly arranged for the murder of a prisoner who threw a packet of sugar at him, a slight he apparently considered worthy of a violent death.

And Tommy "Terrible Tom" Silverstein, who had earned his stripes by killing three inmates, escaped from his shackles on the way back from the prison showers and killed a guard by stabbing him 20 times.

How does one get a nickname like "The Snail"?

Ghoulish Delight · 02-17-2006, 09:18 AM

How does a "Silverstein" end up in the Aryan Brotherhood?

Ponine · 02-17-2006, 09:49 AM

I saw GusGus at NA's house shortly after this started, even though she said very little that day, she was still very upset by the prospect, and dreading what was to come. I think this was even before she found out who and what it was.

I'm glad its over. That appeared to be a heavy weight for her, and I'm very glad she had you there for her.

Gemini Cricket · 02-17-2006, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ponine

I'm glad its over. That appeared to be a heavy weight for her, and I'm very glad she had you there for her.

Totally. What a load off of GG's back. Pretty scary stuff.

Kevy Baby · 02-17-2006, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ponine

I saw GusGus at NA's house shortly after this started, even though she said very little that day, she was still very upset by the prospect, and dreading what was to come. I think this was even before she found out who and what it was.

She knew who it was at that point. She found out the first day.

I actually did serve on a jury several years ago. It is the lowest crime that you can get a jury trial for: petty theft. It was the prosecutor's first case and she didn't do a very good job with it. She would start a line of questions, leading to an obvious destination, and then not finish the thread.

The entire jury knew the guy was guilty (all 12 said so) but we couldn't convict because the evidence was not brought out in court. We actually deliberated for a day and a half! Hung jury.

"They said you was hung."

"And they was right!"

innerSpaceman · 02-18-2006, 10:28 AM

Thank Goddess that GusGus is a tattooed witch!!

I am so relieved she got out of that mess! That being said, tho, where would my family be without the brave jurors who convicted the gangsters that shot and paralyzed my nephew? It's a very tough call to make when someone must step up to the plate ... but not you or your loved ones.

Interesting to think about this "Silverstein" case as regards my stance on the death penalty (anti). How do you go further than life in prison without treading into the territory of taking human life (a major verboten to me, whether done by "state" or man)?

Perhaps this veers near cruel or unusual, but for these guys - if convicted of conducting murders while already serving life sentences - I'd go for permanent solitary confinement with no human contact ever again.

(Oh, and for Silverstein, who betrays his race by somehow managing to join the Aryan Brotherhood under false pretenses of a silly nickname, I'd have no problem with ritual torture.)

Kevy Baby · 02-18-2006, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I am so relieved she got out of that mess! That being said, tho, where would my family be without the brave jurors who convicted the gangsters that shot and paralyzed my nephew? It's a very tough call to make when someone must step up to the plate ... but not you or your loved ones.

I'll admit it; it's a tough call. If not Susan, then who?

But if one fears that their life could genuinely be in peril simply by sitting on a jury, could that person render a true and honest verdict? The fear of retribution could be enough to sway an individual, and it only takes one juror to keep from a conviction.

If myself or a loved one sat on this jury and a conviction is rendered, I would be fearful of my and my loved one's safety for the rest of my life. And unfortunately, there are going to be 20 people (they are picking 8 alternates for this trial) that are going to be in that very position.

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Thank Goddess that GusGus is a tattooed witch!!

LOL! I will somtimes call her Lydia.

alphabassettgrrl · 02-18-2006, 06:36 PM

Anything that gets on a Federal court is likely to be pretty nasty. I'm glad Susan was dismissed.

I've only been called for local juries a few times, have never been selected to be on one. I came close once, but I knew they'd bounce me pretty quickly; it was a DUI case and no defence lawyer wants me in the courtroom on his case. "Do you have strong feelings about driving and narcotics?" "Why, yes, I do"

I'd like my jury time to be some time I could actually sit the full trial. Usually they're badly timed. I've got enough down-time in my work, you'd think the jury summons could come during one of those times.

lindyhop · 02-18-2006, 06:57 PM

I served on a Federal jury two years ago. It was a really fascinating experience and even though it was five dependents and four counts each the whole thing was over in about three weeks.

Reading about this particular case had me remembering that during this trial all the jurors' names were quite openly mentioned in court. I'm used to Superior Court where I'm pretty sure they've switched to just using juror ID numbers. I don't think the defendents in this case were any danger to anyone but themselves, the charges involved conspiracy and extortion and the whole crime was the result of greed and stupidity.

After we gave the verdict (guilty) and were dismissed, the daughter of one of the defendents approached us and wanted to talk. A couple of jurors stuck around but I just wanted to go home. Then a month or two later I had a message on my answering machine from an investigator who apparently was working on the appeal for one of the defendents (the same one whose daughter had approached us) and wanted to talk to me. I got one other message from him but I never called him back.

02-17-2006, 09:18 AM	#13
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	How does a "Silverstein" end up in the Aryan Brotherhood? __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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02-17-2006, 09:49 AM	#14
Ponine Virgin Ears Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,075	I saw GusGus at NA's house shortly after this started, even though she said very little that day, she was still very upset by the prospect, and dreading what was to come. I think this was even before she found out who and what it was. I'm glad its over. That appeared to be a heavy weight for her, and I'm very glad she had you there for her. __________________ There's something strange, There's something wrong. I see a change - It's like when love dies.
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02-18-2006, 10:28 AM	#17
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Thank Goddess that GusGus is a tattooed witch!! I am so relieved she got out of that mess! That being said, tho, where would my family be without the brave jurors who convicted the gangsters that shot and paralyzed my nephew? It's a very tough call to make when someone must step up to the plate ... but not you or your loved ones. Interesting to think about this "Silverstein" case as regards my stance on the death penalty (anti). How do you go further than life in prison without treading into the territory of taking human life (a major verboten to me, whether done by "state" or man)? Perhaps this veers near cruel or unusual, but for these guys - if convicted of conducting murders while already serving life sentences - I'd go for permanent solitary confinement with no human contact ever again. (Oh, and for Silverstein, who betrays his race by somehow managing to join the Aryan Brotherhood under false pretenses of a silly nickname, I'd have no problem with ritual torture.)
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02-18-2006, 06:36 PM	#19
alphabassettgrrl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,978	Anything that gets on a Federal court is likely to be pretty nasty. I'm glad Susan was dismissed. I've only been called for local juries a few times, have never been selected to be on one. I came close once, but I knew they'd bounce me pretty quickly; it was a DUI case and no defence lawyer wants me in the courtroom on his case. "Do you have strong feelings about driving and narcotics?" "Why, yes, I do" I'd like my jury time to be some time I could actually sit the full trial. Usually they're badly timed. I've got enough down-time in my work, you'd think the jury summons could come during one of those times. __________________ Why cycling? Anything [sport] that had to do with a ball, I wasn't very good at. -Lance Armstrong
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02-18-2006, 06:57 PM	#20
lindyhop Swing Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Long Beach Posts: 997	I served on a Federal jury two years ago. It was a really fascinating experience and even though it was five dependents and four counts each the whole thing was over in about three weeks. Reading about this particular case had me remembering that during this trial all the jurors' names were quite openly mentioned in court. I'm used to Superior Court where I'm pretty sure they've switched to just using juror ID numbers. I don't think the defendents in this case were any danger to anyone but themselves, the charges involved conspiracy and extortion and the whole crime was the result of greed and stupidity. After we gave the verdict (guilty) and were dismissed, the daughter of one of the defendents approached us and wanted to talk. A couple of jurors stuck around but I just wanted to go home. Then a month or two later I had a message on my answering machine from an investigator who apparently was working on the appeal for one of the defendents (the same one whose daughter had approached us) and wanted to talk to me. I got one other message from him but I never called him back.
	Submit to Quotes