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| How to find a verdict in the John Edwards trial: an open letter to the jury | How to find a verdict in the John Edwards trial: an open letter to the jury |
| (10 months later) | |
| It's been more than a week since the jury in the John Edwards trial set off with a sense of purpose and civic responsibility to deliberate his guilt or innocence on six charges of concealing illegal campaign contributions to pay for his pregnant mistress. | It's been more than a week since the jury in the John Edwards trial set off with a sense of purpose and civic responsibility to deliberate his guilt or innocence on six charges of concealing illegal campaign contributions to pay for his pregnant mistress. |
| Sadly, as time has passed, the atmosphere in the Greensboro court and jury room seems to have disintegrated. According to reports, the alternate jurors and a couple of jurors showed up wearing matching red shirts and one alternate was described as openly flirting with Edwards. Then the jury asked for so many exhibits the judge ended up giving them all 500. And now they're sending the judge notes complaining they have other places to be, including high school graduations. | Sadly, as time has passed, the atmosphere in the Greensboro court and jury room seems to have disintegrated. According to reports, the alternate jurors and a couple of jurors showed up wearing matching red shirts and one alternate was described as openly flirting with Edwards. Then the jury asked for so many exhibits the judge ended up giving them all 500. And now they're sending the judge notes complaining they have other places to be, including high school graduations. |
| On Wednesday Judge Catherine Eagles gave them a "stern talking-to" behind closed doors. But will that be enough? We've decided that what the John Edwards jury really needs is some advice – from us. | On Wednesday Judge Catherine Eagles gave them a "stern talking-to" behind closed doors. But will that be enough? We've decided that what the John Edwards jury really needs is some advice – from us. |
| 1. Grow up. This isn't high school, this is real life. Sit down and pay attention. There are six counts against the former senator and presidential candidate. SIX. Not sixty-six, and no, not six hundred and sixty. Just six. And they are all pretty straightforward. | 1. Grow up. This isn't high school, this is real life. Sit down and pay attention. There are six counts against the former senator and presidential candidate. SIX. Not sixty-six, and no, not six hundred and sixty. Just six. And they are all pretty straightforward. |
| Four of them are even the same – receiving illegal campaign contributions. The conspiracy and perjury (that's "false statements" to you) fit neatly into the narrative. Is he guilty or innocent? Take the process seriously. A whole lot of futures are resting on your decisions. And no-one wants a mistrial. | Four of them are even the same – receiving illegal campaign contributions. The conspiracy and perjury (that's "false statements" to you) fit neatly into the narrative. Is he guilty or innocent? Take the process seriously. A whole lot of futures are resting on your decisions. And no-one wants a mistrial. |
| 2. Focus. You DO NOT need to flip through 500 exhibits. We have no idea why you asked for so many – unless it was to waste our time. At most, you only need a handful. Cull them down. | 2. Focus. You DO NOT need to flip through 500 exhibits. We have no idea why you asked for so many – unless it was to waste our time. At most, you only need a handful. Cull them down. |
| 3. Forget what he looks like. His appearance and demeanor have nothing to do with his innocence or guilt. If it makes it easier, designate someone to color in pictures of his face. Like this. | 3. Forget what he looks like. His appearance and demeanor have nothing to do with his innocence or guilt. If it makes it easier, designate someone to color in pictures of his face. Like this. |
| 4. Ixnay ethay iquesclay. | 4. Ixnay ethay iquesclay. |
| 5. If you are slow workers (and something tells us that you are) then set a timetable for your deliberations. Graduation at Page High isn't until MONDAY JUNE 11. Even if you take Fridays off, you have a day per charge left. Ponder, vote and move on. | 5. If you are slow workers (and something tells us that you are) then set a timetable for your deliberations. Graduation at Page High isn't until MONDAY JUNE 11. Even if you take Fridays off, you have a day per charge left. Ponder, vote and move on. |
| 6. No jokes. Stop giggling. Remember the jury at Nationals? Copy their behavior. On Glee, even Lindsay Lohan took being a juror seriously. | 6. No jokes. Stop giggling. Remember the jury at Nationals? Copy their behavior. On Glee, even Lindsay Lohan took being a juror seriously. |
| 7. Eat fast. Judge Eagles is slamming her gavel down on your lunch period, and we don't want you to be distracted by hunger. You might lose 30 minutes of your hour. So wolf down your sub, run to the bathroom and GET BACK TO WORK. | 7. Eat fast. Judge Eagles is slamming her gavel down on your lunch period, and we don't want you to be distracted by hunger. You might lose 30 minutes of your hour. So wolf down your sub, run to the bathroom and GET BACK TO WORK. |
| 8. Remember, you are not allowed to read newspapers or watch TV about the case during this time. Nor are you allowed to discuss the case with anyone outside the jury room. So if by chance this advice has come to your attention – well, we won't tell anyone if you don't. | 8. Remember, you are not allowed to read newspapers or watch TV about the case during this time. Nor are you allowed to discuss the case with anyone outside the jury room. So if by chance this advice has come to your attention – well, we won't tell anyone if you don't. |
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