Several years ago, I read a book about the O.J. Simpson trial. That trial was a little different from my trial - in Simpson's case, the jurors were physically sequestered - but there were some parallels. The Simpson jury, like my own, was ordered to only consider evidence that was presented in court. Certain things were not revealed to the Simpson jury, or to my own. In my case, the attorneys and the judge would engage in whispered conversations at times, and at times the judge would ask the jury to leave the room.
So naturally, my view of what was going on was somewhat limited.
However, unbeknownst to me, a complete public record was being published of the proceedings in my jury room. Certain things were confidential at the time, but anyone who was interested in the trial could follow all of the proceedings online.
Take Tuesday, March 12. This was the day that they finally got around to interviewing me, and when I formally became an alternate juror. I've already told you my version of the story, but this is the official record that the court published of that day - something that I was unable to see until after the trial was over.
STEPHAN G SALESON, J-JUDGE
CLERK: RONNA HICKS
CERTIFIED COURT REPORTER: JQ-JULIE QUINTANILLA CSR# JQ-11309
BAILIFF M SHAW
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APPEARANCES
DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY DAN ROSS PRESENT.
ATTORNEY MICHAEL BECKER PRESENT.
ATTORNEY KT TRAN PRESENT.
DEFENDANT PRESENT IN CUSTODY.
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PROCEEDINGS
ACTION CAME ON FOR JURY TRIAL-IN PROGRESS
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4TH DAY OF TRIAL.
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10:45
COURT CONVENES ALL PARTIES PRESENT. ALL PROSPECTIVE JURORS ARE.
PRESENT AND IN THEIR PROPER PLACES
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VOIR DIRE CONTINUES.
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PROSPECTIVE JUROR NUMBER #41 EXCUSED BY PEOPLE'S PEREMPTORY CHALLENGE.
PROSPECTIVE JUROR NUMBER #32 EXCUSED BY DEFENSE PEREMPTORY CHALLENGE.
PROSPECTIVE JUROR NUMBER #36 EXCUSED BY DEFENSE PEREMPTORY CHALLENGE.
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11:16
OFF THE RECORD, COURT AND COUNSEL AT BENCH.
Oh, and one other thing happened - noted in the record as "JURORS ADMONISHED." We were admonished a lot - basically reminding us not to research the case or discuss the case with anyone, including our fellow jurors. The last admonishment applied until (and, in my case, unless) we were in deliberations.
So let's pick it up at 1:51 pm - or, because the court uses military time, 13:51.
13:51
12 JURORS SWORN
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OFF THE RECORD, COURT AND COUNSEL AT BENCH.
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13:52
COURT RECONVENES, ALL PARTIES PRESENT. ALL PROSPECTIVE JURORS ARE PRESENT AND IN THEIR PROPER PLACES
VOIR DIRE CONTINUES.
PROSPECTIVE JUROR NUMBER #45 EXCUSED BY PEOPLE'S PEREMPTORY CHALLENGE.
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VOIR DIRE CONTINUES.
14:07
OFF THE RECORD, COURT AND COUNSEL AT BENCH.
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14:08
COURT RECONVENES, ALL PARTIES PRESENT. ALL PROSPECTIVE JURORS ARE PRESENT AND IN THEIR PROPER PLACES
VOIR DIRE CONTINUES.
14:16
12 JURORS AND 2 ALTERNATES ARE SWORN TO TRY THE CAUSE. THE NAMES OF THE SWORN JURORS AND ALTERNATES ARE SEALED UPON THE RECORDING OF THE VERDICT.
Because the court had no idea when a panel of jurors and alternates would be sworn in, there was no attempt to start opening arguments on that day. But the charges against the defendant were officially read to us - after a time.
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RECESS DECLARED 14:18
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14:26
COURT RECONVENES, ALL PARTIES PRESENT. ALL JURORS AND ALTERNATE JURORS ARE PRESENT AND IN THEIR PLACES.
COURT READS THE INFORMATION
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COURT PRE-INSTRUCTS THE JURY.
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14:48
COURT IS ADJOURNED. JURORS ADMONISHED.
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HEARINGS
JURY TRIAL (IN PROGRESS) CONTINUED TO 03/13/2013 AT 10:30 IN DEPARTMENT R4.
DEFENDANT ORDERED TO APPEAR ON HEARING DATE.
