Posted by Anonymous

[vraiblonde]

"I went to jury selection today, and I know I'm not supposed to talk about the case, so I wont offer any specifics, but one thing, i didnt quite get.

It is a federal trial, in which the prosecution, is seeking the death penalty.
With the questionnaire's we filled out, and some of the information we were given, it sounded like, the defense, was going to throw any juror who was for the death penalty, out. How is it fair, and how can the prosecution seek death, if all of the jurors that they pick, are against the death penalty?"

The person is looking for your knowledge or feedback and didn't want to post it themselves for obvious reasons.

 

[meangirl]

The person is looking for your knowledge or feedback and didn't want to post it themselves for obvious reasons.

If they are seeking the death penalty they would need a death qualified jury. So, saying you are for the death penalty would not get you booted out.

 

[FromTexas]

The defenses goal is to get the jury they want, the prosecutors goal is the same. However, they can't just knock off every juror they don't like.

 

[Mikeinsmd]

The defenses goal is to get the jury they want, the prosecutors goal is the same. However, they can't just knock off every juror they don't like.

Correct! There are a certain number of "rejects" they are allowed. Ken King Esq. can clarify when he reads.

 

[mrweb]

The person is looking for your knowledge or feedback and didn't want to post it themselves for obvious reasons.

[it sounded like, the defense] What was the defense saying? In a court room, it "sounded like" really is vague. In a court room, sounded like doesn't cut it, it is either black or white in my mind whenever I've been there (as a professional witness folks, not on the wrong side)


[if all of the jurors that they pick] Who is they......defense, prosecution? Both sides "pick." Both the defense and prosecution have a game plan that you will never know about, and shouldn't. Of course the defense wants to avoid anyone on the jury who is for the death penalty, which is not to say the prosecution necessarily wants someone who is for the death penalty, it quickly becomes complicated and pretty much case specific. Take the questionnaire at face value and stick to your gut feelings throughout the process and don't over-analyze.

Vrai, check your PM'r in a bit

 

[czygvtwkr]

When I sat on a federal jury it was the judge that handled sentancing and the jury was just to determine innocence or guilt.

Each side is only allowed about 5 unchallenged throw outs.

 

[Ken King]

The person is looking for your knowledge or feedback and didn't want to post it themselves for obvious reasons.

See this ( http://www.uscourts.gov/dpenalty/4REPORT.htm ) section "c." covers jury selection and explains the questionnaire and it's use.

 

[itsbob]

When I sat on a federal jury it was the judge that handled sentancing and the jury was just to determine innocence or guilt.

Each side is only allowed about 5 unchallenged throw outs.

I'm not sure, but I thought where the prosecution went for the death penalty FIRST the jury has to come up with a guilty verdict.. THEN they go back and determine life or death.

If the defense is totally against the death sentence kind of insinuates guilt to me.. if he was innocent whey would they care what the punishment for a guilty person would be??

 

[willie]

When I sat on a federal jury it was the judge that handled sentancing and the jury was just to determine innocence or guilt.

Each side is only allowed about 5 unchallenged throw outs.

That is the way I understood it. After the unchallenged tosses, you have to substantiate your request.

 

[StarCat]

Does it cost more to keep someone in jail for life, or to execute them. I read somewhere that an execution cost more, than it would cost to keep a 20 year old in jail, until he or she turned 85. Just wondering, because I can't imagine that being true.

 

[Ken King]

The cost is more for a death penalty because besides keeping the person in jail until the day of doom there are mandatory appeals that eat a lot of man hours/years and the cost for that is huge.

 

[StarCat]

The cost is more for a death penalty because besides keeping the person in jail until the day of doom there are mandatory appeals that eat a lot of man hours/years and the cost for that is huge.

How many people, who get the death penalty, actually end up executed before they die of old age?

 

[Goofing_Off]

The cost is more for a death penalty because besides keeping the person in jail until the day of doom there are mandatory appeals that eat a lot of man hours/years and the cost for that is huge.

Not to mention the court costs for those appeals.