6 chapters across the catalog
The hosts explain the function of a grand jury, clarifying that its purpose is to determine if there is enough evidence to indict a suspect for a crime. They discuss the secrecy of the proceedings and the power of district attorneys to call them. Dvorak shares an anecdote about a journalist friend who served on a grand jury in California.
A producer shared a humorous account of being dismissed from jury duty after being treated like a "barcode" by the court system. The listener donated her jury duty wages to the show as a protest against the court's request to return the funds to the state. One of the hosts also discussed his own ongoing scheduling conflicts with the Austin jury summons system.
A listener in the Netherlands reports that Dutch news framed Donald Trump's recent jury duty appearance as a "court appearance" to imply criminal activity. The hosts discuss how European media outlets often translate and slant American news feeds to fit specific narratives about U.S. politicians.
Officials in DeKalb County, Georgia, discovered a glitch in an online jury form where selecting "S" for sales resulted in the occupation being listed as "slave." The hosts speculate this was a "No Agenda" style Easter egg planted by a rogue programmer and criticize the media's racial framing of the technical error.
Greta Van Susteren Interviews Trayvon Martin Family Attorney
Fox News host Greta Van Susteren interviewed the attorney for Trayvon Martin's family, who expressed dissatisfaction with the jury's verdict. During the exchange, the attorney claimed a "greater duty" beyond being a lawyer, describing herself as a "social engineer" tasked with correcting the law when it fails to achieve a desired social outcome. The hosts question the appropriateness of a legal professional adopting a social engineering mandate.
Courtroom Affirmations, Foppish Jury Anecdote
An anecdote is shared regarding a music teacher who refused to be sworn in on a Bible during an air pollution court case, opting for a legal affirmation instead. The story highlights the eccentricities of jury selection and the specific attire of the individual involved.
