Vol. 6, Number 14; July 19, 2005

Breaks in the Case

Even the most civic-minded of folk
Don't do justice to others sometimes;
To jurors who aren't let outside for a smoke,
The most innocent deeds look like crimes.
They may swear to judge fairly, on facts and not fears;
They deliberate seriously,
Till they start craving coffee, or cookies, or beers.
A defendant who ought to go free
Makes his plea to deaf ears; and a jury of peers
Finds him guilty 'cause they have to pee.

—Montana Miller

Reference:

"Man Loses Appeal Based on Denial of Smoking Break for Jurors."
The Associated Press, July 18, 2005

[Boston: The denial of cigarette breaks for a jury isn't enough to overturn a drug trafficking conviction, ruled the state Appeals Court, rejecting claims by Geuri Lugo that his guilty verdict should have gone up in smoke. The court says it was within the judge's discretion to deny the jury's request for a smoking break. The court also rejected Lugo's claim that the judge's refusal contributed to a quick or compromised verdict.]