NCJ Number
37535
Date Published
1975
Length
286 pages
Annotation
WRITTEN BY THE FOREPERSON OF THE JURY AT THE ANGELA DAVIS TRIAL, THIS TEXT PROVIDES AN INSIGHT INTO THE EXPERIENCES AND THOUGHTS OF THE JURY AT EACH STAGE OF THE COURT PROCEEDINGS.
Abstract
IN THIS HIGHLY PERSONALIZED ACCOUNT OF HER REACTIONS AND PERCEPTIONS DURING THE ANGELA DAVIS TRIAL, THE AUTHOR RECOUNTS BOTH THE ACTUAL EVENTS OF THE CASE AND THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES ACTIVITIES. THE CASE IS FOLLOWED FROM THE JURY SELECTION, TRIAL, AND JURY DELIBERATIONS THROUGH THE DELIVERY OF THE VERDICT. IN DESCRIBING THESE ACTIVITIES, THE AUTHOR FINDS THE FLAWS IN THE SYSTEM AND MAKES SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGE. AMONG OTHER THINGS, SHE CONTENDS THAT SUCH REFORMS AS ENSURING THE IMPARTIALITY OF JURORS, DRAWING FROM A BROADER BASE OF THE POPULATION IN SELECTING JURORS, TRAINING OF PROSPECTIVE JURORS, EQUALIZATION OF THE SACRIFICE OF JURY DUTY BY A MORE ADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR JURY SERVICE, AND MORE PROTECTION OF THE PRIVACY OF JURORS ARE NECESSARY.