Isn't It Time To Do Away With Trial By Jury?

[dave50]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3164477/Juror-narrowly-avoids-jail-causing-sex-attack-trial-collapse-Googled-defendant.html
There are too many thick people nowadays with no common sense able to sit on a jury to ensure a fair trial. Maybe the judge should decide whether the defendant is innocent or guilty and the jury should decide the punishment.

[andy-hughes]

PankySmooch - //andy hughes, I was answering EDDIES51 question, he wasn't black he was middle class, late fifties and read the guardian, the tree hugger bit was made up so what's your problem? //

I don't have a problem - I merely suggested that summing up someone's entire persona and view on the world based on such a limited interaction is incorrect, and not entirely fair, and I put forward the viewpoint that if said gentleman were to sum you up in a similar broad-brushed manner, you might equally regard it as unjust.

What do you think?

[PankySmooch]

Summing up his entire persona and view on the whole world? By calling him a tree hugger?

[andy-hughes]

PankySmooch - //Summing up his entire persona and view on the whole world? By calling him a tree hugger? //

Using such a term does imply a certain character and mind-set, which is what it is for - simple shorthand to convey an impression and implied viewpoint.

[Canary42]

I've sat on two juries, and the second case was under a judge later exposed as a paedophile.

In a "no jury" trial he could ensure his fellow-paedos got off.

Criminal judges are very rare, but they do exist.

P.S. The case I tried was not sex offence.

P.P.S. In my experience as a foreman of jury, the "problem" with some jurors is lack of interest rather than "thickness" - they just want to "wrap this up and go home" - but the numbers are small.

[PankySmooch]

Was you there for the five week trial then or do you know this chap in question?

He was called a lot worse by other jurors but that wouldn't interest you would it?
If you be got something to say, don't try and hide it as if he said it, be a man for once and say it yourself

[PankySmooch]

^^^^That was for hughes

[andy-hughes]

PankySmooch - //Was you there for the five week trial then or do you know this chap in question?
He was called a lot worse by other jurors but that wouldn't interest you would it?
If you be got something to say, don't try and hide it as if he said it, be a man for once and say it yourself //

Obviously I was not there - but what he was called by other jurors is not the point we are discussing here is it?

I am merely pointing out that your apparent labelling of an individual, using 'character shorthand' may be somewhat unfair - that is all I have to say, and I am being a man about it - I find difficulty in being anything else.

[andy-hughes]

PankySmooch - //^^^^That was for hughes //

I haven't been called 'Hughes' since I left school, forty-three years ago - I think using my name is courtesy, even if you disagree with what I am saying, don't you?