Now, coming from Chicago, I find nothing curious about this story. However, District Judge Mark Kent Ellis was a bit concerned when a jury returned a conviction against Charles Mapps in only 45 minutes by a vote of 13 jurors. Some would say that would make him really really guilty, but there is a small problem of being a violation of the state constitution.
Mapps was super-convicted of shooting his girlfriend. But the judge found that a thirteenth juror would qualify as an outside influence. The judge said that a substitute bailiff fouled up by letting an alternative in the room and that he has been barred from further work in the courtroom.
For the full story, click here.
Makes sense to me. If you can have a window in a door thats is also a Jury Room. Why not have 13, jurors in the backroom.
Hook ’em Horns!!
Texas math strikes again. I bet it was only “the twelve” in that jury room.
We normally don’t have 13 jurors in cases in Chicago, but for the right amount of money, Ex-Governor Blago will work on it for you. Just one more example of how screwed up Texas is.
Come on now… Whats being from ChicAgo got to do with it!
I’m shocked…..that Texas has a constitution.
sigh
Texas.
Apropos story for today, Friday the 13th…and regarding Texas…