Texas Jury Empaneled With Star NFL Kicker
The Dallas Cowboys could be without what has been arguably their best player this season as kicker Brandon Aubrey was absent from practice due to jury duty.
Fox Sports reports that Aubrey, selected for a felony trial jury in Tarrant County, missed a key practice leading up to the Cowboys' game against the San Francisco 49ers. Aubrey's absence raises questions about his availability for the game, but his civic duty takes priority for now.
Aubrey has been stellar this season, making 17 of 19 field goal attempts, including a 65-yarder that caught national attention. As of now, it’s unclear how long his jury service will last. Fans of teams in the NFC East would like Aubrey and the rest of the jurors to deliberate as long as needed.
Jury Selection Begins in NYC Chokehold Trial
ABC 7 NY reports that jury selection has begun in the manslaughter trial of Daniel Penny, the Marine veteran charged with second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide for placing Jordan Neely in a fatal chokehold on a New York City subway.
Neely was restrained by Penny and two others, leading to Neely’s death, which was ruled a homicide. Penny’s defense claims he was protecting passengers, while prosecutors argue Penny continued the chokehold long after Neely posed any threat.
The trial has garnered widespread attention, with the court working to select an impartial jury from a pool of prospective jurors, many of whom were already aware of the case.
Jury selection is expected to take time as participants are screened for any biases or personal connections that could affect their ability to serve impartially. Testimony from witnesses aboard the subway, along with video footage of the incident, will play a crucial role in the trial. Penny’s defense team has not yet decided if he will testify.
Jury Service Conjures Fond Memories and Pride
In a letter to the editor for KPCnews about jury service, the writer recounts receiving a jury summons with initial reluctance, assuming she wouldn’t be selected due to her community connections.
After arriving at the courthouse, she was were surprised to be chosen for the jury, despite not recognizing anyone. The process of selection was both exciting and intimidating, and the author enjoyed the experience. The court proceedings, from the judge standing when the jury entered to listening to evidence, made the author feel deeply connected to her civic duty, leading to a newfound appreciation for the justice system.
After deliberating in the jury room, the author reflects on the intense responsibility of deciding a verdict and the camaraderie formed with fellow jurors. While they were initially apprehensive about serving, by the end of the trial, they felt proud to have participated in such an important aspect of democracy. The experience left a lasting impression, and they encouraged others to embrace jury duty as an essential part of civic responsibility.