Law & Order Part 1

So, I have not had much chance to journal in the last six months. I am not sure if I am suppressing feelings or just trying to rebel against what I teach my kids. In October, I was sent a letter from the Riley County Attorney asking me to fill out a questionnaire regarding a murder case that happened in Manhattan in June of 2007. The questionnaire was AT LEAST six pages long and of course I did not know anyone involved in the case.
As the day I was to report jury approached I started receiving "how to get out of jury duty" advice. Some of my favorites:
1. Wear an all leather outfit and say the word guiltily after every question.
2. Wear all black and share with them a hatred of men.
3. Tell them I am a teacher and I will be dismissed immediately.

So, armed with my new knowledge I headed for jury duty at noon on Monday. I sat for three hours while other people were called into the courtroom to meet with the judge and attorneys. Not I though...I sat next to the lady who told me she couldn't be on the jury because her dog was 10 years old and had not one to babysit the dog during the day. On my right was the man who wanted to get jury duty to have relief from the night shift and did not take my hints of "reading" while waiting.

At 3:30 we were called into the courtroom and the first 36 people were seated in the gallery section of the courtroom. The next 12 (which included me) sat in the jury box. Seated before me were the attorneys and a young man who looked like a student who might walk through the halls of any high school in Kansas.

An hour and a half later they were still asking question and striking witnesses from the pool of 36. Finally, they read aloud the final 12 jury members. Relief rushed to my body as I realized that I was not a jury member. Saved by the computer. Then the judge turned to the 12 of us sitting in the jury box and said they needed to choose the alternates from the first six. I counted down the row and realized I was number five. Fantastic.

I thought this is my chance to practice my lines..."I hate men" was on the tip of my tongue when the prosecutor said, "We've had a long day...we are not going to ask too many questions we'll just choose the alternates." They go up to the podium and start crossing names off the seating chart. I pull my student's trick and advert eye contact.

The judge was carried the seating chart...adverting eye contact...
The judge studies the seating chart...adverting eye contact...
The judge reads the names..."Henry and Kate Erickson."

WHAT?!?!?

The guy who sat next to me and talked my leg off for three hours in the hallway shakes my hand and congratulates me. I look up towards the ceiling trying not to bawl my eyes out in front of the judge.

As I was leaving the courthouse I wanted to say....."Wait, I have black lipstick in my purse...." But said nothing.