So what happens when a jury hears the evidence in a trial and makes a unanimous opinion to issue a verdict that may be bold and unpopular? Shouldn’t they be commended for taking a stand for what they felt was right?
Well that wasn’t the case recently in Tarrant County, Texas.
In a DWI trial there, visiting judge Jerry Ray scolded the jury for reaching a not guilty verdict in a DWI case. Here is the transcript of what he said:
This is absolutely absurd. If anyone in that courtroom did a disservice to their oath it was perhaps the judge for criticizing the jury in this manner. A jury has the full right to “ignore” the Intoxilyzer reading if it has doubts about it. The judge should know better than that.
Credit to Liberally Lean for breaking the story and Grits for Breakfast for reporting on it as well.