Reported by: Mandy McGlothlin
National Freelance Reporter
After six weeks of sitting in the Will County courthouse during the Drew Peterson trial, a lot has been on my mind about the trial process compared to everyday life. In this case, a woman’s life has been lost and it's sickening to me that so many laughs and jokes have been had during this process. I mean, the jurors wearing team shirts and jerseys? This is not what I would want to see in the jury box to decide the fate of my family member. I'm not saying it's not good to laugh but there is a time and place for that.
And what does Drew think about all this? I see him come in day after day and wonder, what is going through his mind when he sees the jury in coordinated outfits and his own defense team arguing with each other? I even saw lead defense attorney Brodsky tell one of his team members to sit down, more than once, as if they were a small child. What was Drew thinking when Brodsky asked the judge to help correct a problem he missed with his own witness, Harry Smith, during jury instructions? All because Brodsky was “surprised” by Smith's answers and he didn't know how to respond. WOW! Wouldn’t it be great if we all had someone else to help correct our actions when we weren’t prepared?
This is a court of law, not a school playground. This is the system we rely on for justice whether it’s for Drew or Kathleen. Unfortunately in this case, it comes down to who said what and when gossip became fact. Sure, it’s easier to say something behind one’s back if you think they won’t hear about it. But, what if the words we spoke could be damaging to our own family? Would you think twice?
Very soon, each juror will have to say what they think about the actions of someone’s sister, brother, mother and father. And say it with 100% certainty. I imagine it will be hard to think about how their conclusions will affect others. Coming back with a guilty verdict is a huge decision that will change the lives of many people. The jurors will have to come to terms with their decision in front of Drew and Kathleen’s family. Perhaps we should all think long and hard about what we say and do the next time we judge someone.
Personally, I was mad at myself after watching the playback of my recent interview on In Session. I felt that I smiled too much while talking about something so serious. Maybe it was nerves, or maybe it was because I told my parents that I would smile at some point to show I was thinking of them. Kind of like Carol Burnett pulling her ear. During the interview I realized how much my words and actions are like promises to be kept.
I've been told by more than one reliable source that Stacy Peterson's case will begin after this trial is over. I truly hope that Stacy will get her day in court no matter the outcome of this trial. But of course things can and will change. More often it seems that promises are easily broken and a hand shake doesn’t mean much. For the jurors assigned to this case, it means more than just a handshake. What they say and do will decide the fate of people’s lives.
updated: Sept 2,1012 9:30PM
updated: Sept 2,1012 9:30PM
No comments:
Post a Comment