CAN’T BE ON JURY BECAUSE OF ‘SUGAR DADDY’
JUROR SAYS SHE CAN’T BE ON JURY BECAUSE OF ‘SUGAR DADDY’
As an attorney we have the pleasure of working with Jurors on a regular basis. There really is nothing better than standing in front of your peers and fighting for something you whole heartedly agree with. However, before you have the chance to have a jury, you have to have a jury selection. If you have never been through the process, it really is quite unique to the United States Legal System. The Court will call a number of people to service, maybe 200 or more people for Jury Service. Out of that 200 people, maybe 100 will show up. It is those 100 people that the Judge will try to find out if they are qualified and able to be Jurors. There many different reasons why someone can be excused from jury duty, but I have never been exposed to the “Sugar Daddy” excuse.
The selected jurors will eventually determine whether Cruz will face the death penalty or life in prison. He killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where he was once a student, on Valentine’s Day in 2018. Jurors will have to agree to the death penalty unanimously in order for him to receive such a sentence. Otherwise, he’ll face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Hours into the jury selection process, Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer asked if she had missed anyone with concerns or questions.
This is how it went:
“Did you have a question?” she asks in video of the proceedings, pointing off camera toward one of the prospective jurors who she eventually identifies as “Miss Bristol.”
“This is a whole entire month,” the woman says. “First of all let me clarify myself, July second is my birthday, July Fourth is my son, and the 18th is my other son.”
The judge asks her to speak slower.
“Don’t talk too fast, we have to be able to understand…so you said that the July, there’s dates in July that you’re not available? What are those dates?”
“July seventh, July fourth, and July 18th….And again, I need to figure out something,” Bristol replies. “I have my sugar daddy that I see every day.”
“I’m sorry?” the judge asks, with an unmoved expression on her face and cocking her head.
“My sugar daddy,” Bristol repeats.
“OK, I’m not exactly sure what you’re talking about but we’ll–“
“I’m married, and I have my sugar daddy,” she says again. “I see him every day.”
“OK. All right,” the judge says. “Ma’am, we’ll come back to you, OK? Thank you.”
Good Bless our Jury System and our Jurors. Should you need help with your litigation needs or need an advocate for you, your business, or family in the Courtroom, please let us know at Winslow Law: 843-357-9301.