There was a mistrial declared the other day due to the jury being hopelessly deadlocked (10-2 for acquittal) over the Rinderknecht arson fire case. His arson led to the Palisades fire which destroyed thousands of homes and killed more than a few people. Rinderknecht set his fire, and it was put out by LAFD, a week before it reignited and started the Palisades fire.
While I have some mixed feelings about this, I think acquittal is more correct than guilty in this case. Yes, he started an arson fire, and yes it was the match for a fire a that started a week later, but it it was the incompetence of many Los Angeles departments that didn’t ensure that the original fire was out. If I’m driving drunk and knock over a street light that blocks the road, and they don’t remove the obstruction from the road and then someone else runs into it and is injured, am I liable?
They did indeed. I am surprised that that the judge accepted a hung jury as quickly as he did, but I guess he was convinced they were dug in on their opinions.
Right after I had my heart attack in 2016 I was called for jury duty. I was concerned should I be sequestered as I had not had time to sort out my insulin shots or diet to keep my blood sugar stable, but I believe strongly in that civic duty so I went in and did not ask for exemption. I figured if it looked to be a problem I would inform them and let them sort it out.
I ended up arguing with the defense lawyer, asking him if he wasn’t claiming the plaintiff should have engaged in vigilante action. We took a break and I was not asked to return. Fine. I have been a bit surprised that I have not been called since. I wonder if I was tagged as a problem? I didn’t even mention jury nullification, which I believe strongly in.
Maybe I just just not look a gift horse in the mouth? (sorry Sven, couldn’t resist)
I have always gone in but never been picked. I had friends and relatives in law enforcement and the criminal side. The case in Texas in 2016 was civil so I thought it might not matter.
Mrs Sven dragged me in to watch a movie: Song Sung Blue. It turned out to be quite good altho more tearjerky than I expected. If you like Neil Diamond at all, you’ll like this.
Thread pic: Puns. Enuf said.
Happy weekend, GN.
There was a mistrial declared the other day due to the jury being hopelessly deadlocked (10-2 for acquittal) over the Rinderknecht arson fire case. His arson led to the Palisades fire which destroyed thousands of homes and killed more than a few people. Rinderknecht set his fire, and it was put out by LAFD, a week before it reignited and started the Palisades fire.
While I have some mixed feelings about this, I think acquittal is more correct than guilty in this case. Yes, he started an arson fire, and yes it was the match for a fire a that started a week later, but it it was the incompetence of many Los Angeles departments that didn’t ensure that the original fire was out. If I’m driving drunk and knock over a street light that blocks the road, and they don’t remove the obstruction from the road and then someone else runs into it and is injured, am I liable?
I saw this in the news but I did not know the details you shared. Thank you for that. Interesting issues raised. The two jurors showed character.
They did indeed. I am surprised that that the judge accepted a hung jury as quickly as he did, but I guess he was convinced they were dug in on their opinions.
Right after I had my heart attack in 2016 I was called for jury duty. I was concerned should I be sequestered as I had not had time to sort out my insulin shots or diet to keep my blood sugar stable, but I believe strongly in that civic duty so I went in and did not ask for exemption. I figured if it looked to be a problem I would inform them and let them sort it out.
I ended up arguing with the defense lawyer, asking him if he wasn’t claiming the plaintiff should have engaged in vigilante action. We took a break and I was not asked to return. Fine. I have been a bit surprised that I have not been called since. I wonder if I was tagged as a problem? I didn’t even mention jury nullification, which I believe strongly in.
Maybe I just just not look a gift horse in the mouth? (sorry Sven, couldn’t resist)
Jury duty -- I got a year exemption because of Mrs Sven’s condition, but that ends in July and I figure I’ll get summoned again. Never served.
I have always gone in but never been picked. I had friends and relatives in law enforcement and the criminal side. The case in Texas in 2016 was civil so I thought it might not matter.
I am 74/75 now. I don’t know if there is a cutoff age. If they want me I will serve, but I bring a lot of baggage and an unpopular attitude.
It would speed things up if they asked about attitudes and baggage before reporting, but then I guess no one would show up.
Mrs Sven dragged me in to watch a movie: Song Sung Blue. It turned out to be quite good altho more tearjerky than I expected. If you like Neil Diamond at all, you’ll like this.