A Theatre of the Absurd

"I should point out that the 'absurd' in the title of this article is used in the theatrical sense and does not extend to the legal aspects of the case where I was a juror. The judge's conduct was exemplary. The learned counsel on both sides acted with decorum. I was incredibly impressed with both the knowledge and communication skills of the expert witnesses and the police presented their evidence with a surprising degree of competence. The jury considered its verdict with due diligence and came to the only logical conclusion as to the guilt of the accused.

Why then such a provocative title? Because as a juror in a long criminal trial I felt a strong sense of disconnect between the legal process and the way the courts are administered, including the presentation of computer based evidence and the treatment of jurors. I should emphasise again that this is a juror's perspective, given in ignorance of the law. By trade I am an art historian."

So begins a most interesting insight and reflection by art historian Joanna Mendelssohn on her "service" as a juror in a six-week criminal trial. Read the full piece from ABC.net.au, here.

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