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Appearing for jury duty is part of our civic duty and what makes the US Justice System one of the best systems in the world. Is it always correct or fair? Not always. But until you've sat in that jury box and are facing a cold-blooded killer, you will never know how important the duty bestowed upon you can be. However, sitting through an entire murder trial can also be educational and a life-turning event. You become one of a group of people that will be passing judgment on another person - a person who is accused of taking the life of another.

When I received my notification for jury duty, there was not any information on what the trial was about. Living in a small rural town, I had the impression it would be a simple case and nothing further entered my mind. I also had the notion that I would be quickly turned away as my husband is in law enforcement. Neither was the case. As soon as I began to fill out my questionnaire, I knew this was not a simple case especially when one of the questions asked about my views on the death penalty.

Over 200 people were called in for jury duty on this case. The first day was narrowed down to about half. I was part of the first 60 and after some questioning by the prosecution and defense attorney, I was asked to return the next day. The next day, others were questioned while most of us from the first day basically sat around and waited. Again, I was asked to return the following day. There were about 50-60 of us left and we sat and listened to a lot of legal talk and were asked more questions.

Finally on Friday after more lectures, talk, and questions, the attorneys started making their decisions. The judge started naming off names that were released to go and my heart sank as one by one, names were called except for mine. I was left in the room of 11 other people. I then knew that I would be on the jury. And Monday morning, I arrived with my 11 fellow jurors and 2 others from another group were added for a total of 14. Two were alternates but we would not know who the alternates were until we began deliberations. We would be listening to the case of a young man who was accused of killing an elderly man in cold blood. A death-penalty murder trial and the life of a 23 year-old man was placed in our hands.

We sat through approximately two weeks of evidence and testimony. Yes, there were horrific pictures and yes, I will never forget the pictures. Following the killing, the elderly man was placed in his garage and his body was

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