Jury Duty In Downtown Cleveland

I am worn out. Serving as a juror in the State of Ohio vs. Angela Williams was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life but I was grateful for the experience. Hope I don't have to go through it again.

Here are a list of links that show you some of what went on. I might elaborate more later but my brain is tired of reliving and telling the story.
http://www.fox8.com/news/wjw-news-cleveland-rta-bus-driver-found-guilty,0,7096802.story

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/11/former_rta_bus_driver_convicte.html

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=125610&catid=3

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=125584&catid=3

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/11/post_124.html#comments

http://www.fox8.com/news/wjw-rta-bus-ax-txt,0,4249229.story

For journaling purposes I will probably cut and paste many of these stories onto my blog later before the links are gone but for now I want a break:)

This is a copy of what has been posted on Facebook again because I think I want to remember. It changed me.

Sarah Pead Parks is emotionally spent. If you want to see details of the jury I just served on this is the most accurate I have read so far. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/11/rta_bus_driver_angela_williams.html

Sarah Pead Parks and this ...
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/11/former_rta_bus_driver_convicte.html
Yesterday at 4:37pm · Sarah Pead Parks I cried when they immediately cuffed her. I just wasn't prepared for that. I tried to hide it but there is so much tragedy on both sides
Yesterday at 4:40pm · Haley Hammons Ick, I would be emotional too.
Yesterday at 5:28pm · Tacie Kerr Wow - I've been following that story. I don't envy your participation.
Yesterday at 5:37pm · Brandon Pead WOW im sorry sarah i cant believe that thats y I couldnt do jury duty
Yesterday at 6:23pm · Cindy Abawi that is a tough one. So sorry for all involved
Yesterday at 6:28pm · Robyn Holladay That would be really hard. I've always wanted to serve on a jury, but not one like that!
Yesterday at 6:34pm · Sarah Pead Parks One of the hardest things is that as a jury you can't consider the sentencing phase or what that would intell at all in your decision. We assumed that the first count was a felony but had no idea that the second count was a misdemenor or what the sentence would be for either count. After being able to catch up with the news there was a lot we didn't know, such as that Judge Saffold was the only party, including the victims family, that would not accept the early plea agreement for the lesser charge she ended up recieving through our verdict.
I think that is why it freaked me out that as soon as the verdict was read the warden cuffed her. Up until that point she was going home every night.
It all comes back to a mother of six who made a big mistake that a lot of us make everyday. In a moment of inattentiveness, she killed a man and is sitting behind bars tonight. Her position held her to a higher standard but I am done with the cell and a lot of other things in the car even though we felt like there was reasonable doubt that she was on hers.
Yesterday at 9:23pm · Deb Langfritz Rust That is horrible!!
Yesterday at 10:10pm · Sarah Pead ParksI am still sick to my stomach and wonder how I will settle down enough to sleep. I am glad I got to be a part of the process but never want to have to do it again. The other jurors were awesome and pretty understanding when I went and cried in the deliberation room after we delivered the verdict and they were going through the sentencing and commentary phase.
Yesterday at 11:21pm · Carrie Jackman Wow! How hard.
Yesterday at 11:30pm · Janine Zayed That's the jury you were on? Oh my gosh, how tough. Let me know if you need anything or just want to talk...
5 hours ago ·

For now I am just grateful for my freedom, from jury duty and in life.