Last week I was on jury duty, and what a week it was, both riveting and emotionally draining. The case involved a man in his late thirties who was accused of Gross Sexual Assault and Unlawful Sexual Contact with an eleven-year-old boy.
Right from the start, the evidence was against the defendant. On the first day of jury duty, we saw a video taken by a police officer—who was wearing a bodycam—when he went to the defendant’s home to collect his phone. As soon as the defendant, who was outside, saw the policeman get out of the cruiser, the defendant booked it inside. Then, the defendant made the police officer wait outside for five minutes before letting him in. After which, the defendant proceeded to tell lie after lie about how he didn’t have his phone and couldn’t remember the number. When the police officer informed the defendant that his home would be torn apart if he didn’t produce the phone, the defendant finally took the police to where the phone was hidden, in a vent in the bedroom.
The second video we saw was filmed the day after the alleged assault when a councilor at a local sexual assault unit interviewed the boy. I will not go into any details except to say the boy looked as though he wished the floor would open up and swallow him. He wore sneakers with Velcro straps, and during a particularly tense part of the conversation, the boy ripped the straps back and forth, back and forth. I want to add that the councilor was very respectful and kind, using different approaches to put the boy at ease.
The third compelling piece of evidence came from DNA testing and the testimony of forensic experts. The morning after the alleged assault, the boy told his mother what had happened, and fortunately there had been no shower to wash the evidence away. The mother immediately brought the boy to the local sexual assault unit, where DNA swabs were taken, and the boy was interviewed. Only two DNA profiles were found under the clothes on the boy’s body, his own and the defendant’s.
The defense lawyer brought in his own forensic expert, who maintained that DNA could travel in many ways from person to person, with sneezing being a prime example. This would turn out to be the defense lawyer’s main argument, that his client’s DNA profile under the clothes on the boy’s body could have come from anywhere.
When all the evidence had been presented, when all the witnesses had been called, and the closing arguments made, the jurors went to the jury room, and it was the court’s turn to wait for us.
As it turned out, the court only had to wait for a little under an hour. We discussed all the evidence presented and the various testimonies, including what we had seen in the videos. It didn’t take us long to agree that the defendant’s DNA profile under the boy’s clothes didn’t get there by way of sneezing or through any other route that DNA might take. We found the defendant guilty of both Gross Sexual Assault and Unlawful Sexual Contact.
This, of course, is an abbreviated version of what happened in court. Out of respect for both the boy and my readers, I have avoided using the upsetting language that I heard. I expect you will be able to read between the lines.
In conclusion: I was so impressed with the judge, who was cool and even during the whole trial; with the passionate prosecuting lawyer, whom one juror described as a pit bull; with the defense lawyer, who had a thankless job; and with my fellow jurors, who listened intently and closely to both sides. We took our job seriously. Finally, I was also impressed with the way that technology was used as evidence by the prosecution. The DNA profiles and the videos made the picture much clearer.
Next week, I will return to more pleasant subjects—Clif’s birthday, fall coming to Maine. But as my jury duty indicated, life is not always rosy in the hinterlands, where people commit serious crimes, just the way they do anywhere else.
Notes From the Hinterland 
This experience is something that will stay with you and be part of your life’s journey, at least it has been for me. Jury duty is something that leaves it’s mark unless it is something simple. Without, the people you mentioned, we would not have a legal system, so I applaud all of you for your dedication to contributing to the safety of Maine and its residents. God be with that young boy and his family.
So true, Judy. It is something I will never forget. And the boy, of course, will have to live with this for the rest of his life. As well as his parents. But at least the boy knows his parents were completely on his side.
Thank you for sharing this. I was a trauma therapist for much of my career, working with men and women who had been the targets of sexual violence and trafficking. I am really impressed with the mom and the entire system. Not the usual outcome I’m afraid.
Yes, impressed with the mom and that the boy felt he could tell his mother and be believed.
Yes, sexual abuse is more common than one wants to admit. The good news is that the boy knew to tell his mother, and the mother believed him. That reduces the level of trauma, in my understanding.
I think so, too. Yes, this says a lot about the boy, his mother, and their relationship. To be believed is so important.
Thank you for sharing this traumatic experience with us, Laurie. It’s an important reminder of the quiet horrors ordinary people come up against. It’s also reassuring that the justice system is working responsibly … mostly. As your other commenters have said, thank God the boy felt safe telling his mother and that she took immediate action.
It was quite an experience, that’s for sure. As I mentioned in my post, the jurors took their job seriously. In this case, I couldn’t have been more impressed with the justice system. And, yes, thank God the boy felt safe telling his mother, who immediately reacted. Yay, Mom!
What an ordeal! The jury should be thanked for its attention to detail and consideration of all the facts.
Now, onto brighter things!
It was harrowing. Yes, on to brighter things, but the details of the trial will be with me for quite a while.
I imagine that was a harrowing experience not only for the jury, but for that poor child who will be scarred for life. Let’s hope he is getting good counseling to help deal with the horror.
Yes, fingers crossed that he is getting good counciling.
A disturbing case, Laurie. It must have been hard to hear. I’m glad justice was served and hope everyone in the case, including the perpetrator, gets help. Thanks for sharing your jury duty experience.
A very disturbing and very hard to hear, especially when the descriptions were much more blunt. Yes, hope everyone gets help.
What a harrowing Case you had to give your attention to Laurie. Thank you for your clear and respectful account.
I’m glad that the boy had such conscientious Jurors. So many people affected by the situation.
I expect it will take a while to adjust to normality after your experience.
And thank you for the kind words. Yes, it is taking me a while to recover.
Shocking!!
Thanks for taking the time to respectfully and tastefully outline the case where you sat on the jury and for being willing to share it. Tough case, especially when a child is involved.
I look forward to a return to your “usual programming”!
Many thanks! Next week, back to my usual programming.
A harrowing case Laurie but with a good outcome. The only time I’ve done jury duty it was similar but awful in a very different way and I won’t do jury duty again because of that. I hope if you have to do it again it won’t be so traumatic.
Yes, a harrowing case. I am all set for five years, but after that, who knows?
Being part of a jury is truly a “duty” in the full sense of the word and you are a wonderful person for stepping up and doing so so thoughtfully, respectfully and intelligently. I am fascinated by the difference in laws surrounding jury service, though. Here in New Zealand a jury member can never – during or after the case – disclose any details.
Thanks for the kind words. During the trial, we were admonished not to talk to anyone about the case, not even with the other jurors. Once the trial was over, we were allowed to deliberate as a jury. When a verdict had been reached and delivered to the court, then we could talk freely to anyone, even journalists as the trial is then a matter of public record. Interesting how different countries handle such things.
wow – thanks for sharing about this and in a general way, I just feel led to say thanks for your community service and serving on the jury! Truly a sad story and I am glad that this did not go on for years and hopefully the boy will recover and be able to overcome this horrible crime against him and his family.
Thanks for the kind words. In the case of this boy, the abuse did not go on for years. Something to be grateful for.
Laurie, this is the sort of thing I did on a regular basis when I worked as a newspaper journalist. Some of these court cases can be shocking and disturbing. You’ve laid it out here in an easy-to-understand manner, and it was pretty obvious to me how the verdict would go. Thank you for taking on the responsibility of citizenship! I do hope you’ll be able to black out the lurid details … and that that poor child will be remanded to therapy so he won’t be scarred for life.
Phew! Beween hearing the terrible details and getting the facts right, that must have been an intense job. Yes, hope the boy gets the help he needs. I think he will. Both parents seem very vigilant.
I’m so sad that child was subjected to such behavior. Thank you for coming to the correct, impartial judgement.
Yes, very sad. Sigh.
My heart goes out to the young boy and his family Laurie and I hope they will get all the support they need. The evidence you were presented with thankfully helped you all reach your verdict and doing jury service is a wonderful contribution for us to be able to make 💜 xxx
I think the parents will make sure the boy gets the help he needs. The videos and the DNA testing certainly made it easier to decide if the defendant was guilty.
I confess a case like this would have made me feel sick at heart. I am pleased they brought this guy to justice. I should imagine it was a tiring week.
Yes, sick at heart for both the boy and his family. A very tiring week.
Very interesting Laurie….I was also called for Jury duty and as you said, I felt emotionally drained. However as Judy said, it is important to have a strong legal system, and the best we can do is to contribute by being on the panel.
Best wishes for birthday planning.
Yes, very important to have a strong legal system. But, as you know, jury duty can be emotionally draining. Starting to feel more myself now.
Thanks for the birthday wishes.
You were lucky to get a fairly clear cut case, even if it was very grim. I must be hard when a jury can’t agree.
Yes, must be very hard. The technology really did help.
A terrible but, I am afraid, rather too common happening these days. The correct outcome. Trust the sensible and caring mother will have the ability to put the unpleasantness of the past into context for her son – it is over, let’s leave it in the past and get on with life !
Yes, Mom did the right thing, and it’s wonderful that the boy trusted her.
I’m glad to hear the jury took its job seriously. I wonder what percentage of time that is true.
I expect it’s mostly true. The judge and everyone else who worked in court set the tone. Very fair and professional. And the judge clearly and calmly explained not only the specifics of the case but also outlined our duties as jurors. All in all, I was impressed with the system.
Certainly a most harrowing case, Laurie. I don’t envy you
It was a harrowing case. No doubt about it.
What a relief that your duty has been done. Thank you for providing a glimpse of what it is like to be on jury duty – the case aside, it very interesting to read.
Thanks, Anne. I found the process both fascinating and disturbing. I did feel as though justice was served and that we jurors took the job very seriously.
Wonderful to have an inside account from an astute observer! I was called many times but never impanelled. Glad to know what it might feel like.
Thanks so much! It was quite the experience.
That must have been such a difficult case to listen to! But it is so important that our Justice systems work well and that relies on people like you doing jury service. Technology certainly seems important – both things like body cameras and back office stuff like DNA testing – so much better than ‘he said she said’ testimony. Sending hugs to you for doing a hard job well on behalf of us all.
Very difficult! But I was very impressed with Maine’s judicial system, the way everything was handled, and the statement from the judge to the jury. Even though we gave a guilty verdict, we gave a serious consideration to all the evidence. And, yes, technology was very important in this case and in many others, too, I expect. As you noted, so much better than “he said, she said” testimony. Thanks so much for the hugs!
That’s such a tough case! Did they give potential jurors the opportunity to opt-out if they couldn’t handle hearing testimony involving a child? I can’t help but think about the widespread abuse perpetrated by the church of my childhood. I would’ve needed to get off that jury I think.
A very tough case. Yes, before the case, a questionnaire was passed out, and jurors were asked if they could be impartial in a sexjal abuse case involving a child. I answered yes, but if I had answered no I doubt that I would have been chosen.
It sounds like an emotionally gruelling experience for you and all concerned. I’m sure you’re glad it’s over now…
Very grueling! Yes, I am glad it’s over.
You are the perfect jurist, Laurie, calm, thoughtful, introspective, and responsible. Your time in court couldn’t have been easy. I’m glad there’s been justice, but horrified by this too familiar story. Xo
Thanks so much for the kind words! It wasn’t an easy case, and I took the job very seriously, as did the other jurors.
I know you did. Thank you.
I’m pleased that you found the process to be essentially positive, albeit emotionally gruelling. I hope I feel the same at the end of my own spell of jury service, which begins in 26 days time (yes, I’m counting down the days, hoping that by some miracle they change their minds and tell me I’m not needed).
Anyway, time for you to put all that behind you and savour the delights of fall. Enjoy!
Positive but emotionally grueling is a perfect description. It is something I won’t forget. When I was chosen, there were many more who weren’t picked. Perhaps you won’t be either.
I really appreciated your clear and concise description of the jury process. It was especially heartening to read that the judge and attorneys made an effort to reduce the stress of testifying for the boy. This is the way things should work: less spectacle and more seriousness would go a long way toward improving our justice system. I’m glad you — and obviously people like you — took this responsibility seriously, and helped to assure a young boy that justice can be done.
Thanks so much! The whole trial was handled fairly and with care and seriousness. Not once did the judge betray how he felt. Very impressed with Maine’s judicial system, at least during this trail, which was a tough one.
That must have been horrible !! I have no words for people who do that, and it happens so often, I just don’t understand how you can do such a thing with a child !! Poor boy. You are very brave !
It was intense, and that experience will be with me forever.
I believe you.
I was on Grand Jury once, many years ago, and it was an educational view into the legal system and how it worked. Yes, the things people do can be horrific.
For sure! But I was impressed with how Maine’s judicial system worked. Exactly the way it ought to have, in my opinion.
It is always a great thing to see the system work as it should.