A judge in a
semi-small city was hearing a drunk-driving case and the defendent, who had
both a record and a reputation for driving under the influence, demanded a
jury trial. It was nearly 4 p.m. and getting a jury would take time, so the
judge called a recess and went out in the hall looking to impanel anyone
available for jury duty. He found a dozen lawyers in the main lobby and told
them that they were a jury. The lawyers thought this would be a novel
experience and so followed the judge back to the courtroom. The trial was
over in about 10 minutes and it was very clear that the defendent was
guilty. The jury went into the jury-room, the judge started getting ready to
go home, and everyone waited.
After nearly three hours, the judge was
totally out of patience and sent the bailiff into the jury-room to see what
was holding up the verdict. When the bailiff returned, the judge said,
"Well have they got a verdict yet?"
The bailiff shook his
head and said, "Verdict? Hell, they're still doing nominating speeches
for the foreman's position!"
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