Sonja Gantt NewsChannel 36 Anchor

Editor's note: Sonja Gantt bloggs each week for The Charlotte Observer's mommy site, MomsCharlotte.com.

Somber, sad and proud. That's how I felt when I left the Mecklenburg County Courthouse after jury duty last week. I'd been excited about going because our legal system has always fascinated me. I even considered becoming a lawyer. But that excitement changed when I officially became juror no. 7.

It is sobering to look at a stranger and realize you're going to be asked to make a decision that affects their future.

The defendant in my case was accused of breaking and entering and larceny after breaking and entering. He and two others were found with some stolen computer equipment. After hearing the evidence we all believed he was with the group, though we were unsure of his specific role in the crime. The law says if two or more are gathered for the purpose of committing a crime you don't have to take part in every part of the crime to be found guilty. That speaks volumes for why we need to remind our children to choose their friends carefully and help them realize that they must always be accountable for their actions.

After the conviction we learned his attorney had questions about his mental capacity. The defendant is in his late 20s. The other two suspects are in their mid 30s and early 40s. Given the questions about his mental capacity, I wondered if he is one of those people we often call "slow" who is able to function but may be easily swayed by others.

When he addressed the court after his sentencing his tone wasn't angry but more resolute. He said he'd take the punishment like a man, he'd done time before and could handle it and he hoped it would be better when he got out.

Throughout the trial no family or friends showed up to support him. I wondered what kind of life he might have led with solid support...surrounded by people who pushed him in a positive direction. Maybe he wouldn't be facing a minimum of 10 years in prison.

His case was sad but other parts of the experience left me feeling hopeful and impressed.

When you arrive at the courthouse it feels a little like a cattle call. Jury coordinators Vanessa Glass Harris and Mary Poston help personalize the experience. I'm sure they get tired of answering the same question over and over again and no doubt they've heard every excuse in the book for why people can't serve but they were always polite and helpful.

Every jury has its own deputy. Ours was Karen Cherry. She was fabulous. She knew how to inject just enough humor to coax a smile and put a group of 12 strangers at ease.

Judge Albert Diaz put our service in perspective by reminding us that just as the men and the women in the military are doing their jobs overseas jury duty is the ordinary citizens chance to serve and keep our legal system functioning. He was a wonderful example of fairness during the trial.

But I was most proud of my fellow jurors. Our panel was made up of teachers, a nurse, a stay at home mom, a bartender, a bus driver, a college student and business men and women. Ethnically we represented several groups. And our ages ranged from late 20s to 60s. We were diverse in every way except that the women outnumbered men by 10 to 2.

I'm one of those people who wants everyone to get along . Sometimes, especially during election season, the divisions among us seem magnified. But last week on that Wednesday afternoon during deliberations we proved once again that a diverse group of people can listen, discuss respectfully and make a decision.

At the end of the day despite the imperfections, and any system that relies on people will be imperfect, for me I left feeling hopeful because of the people. While we can be at the center of the worst of things...we also have the ability to be at the center of the best.

1 Comments

Erica C. Adams said:

Ms. Gantt,

I have the pleasure of overseeing the Jury Management operations in Mecklenburg County. Thank you for performing jury service, sharing your experience with others and for being complimentary of the Jury Coordinators. They, in addition to other court personnel, make every effort to ensure a pleasant and rewarding experience. We certainly want people to feel good about fulfilling their civic duty. Without the participation of citizens like you, justice could not be served.

Sincerely,
Erica C. Adams
Operations Administrator
Trial Court Administrator's Office

October 15, 2008 6:46 PM

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