No Psychics on the Jury

....or, how to raise your hand right out the door. Nothing sets blood pressure off the dial like the jury summons. Kept it in check better this time, figuring I got excused for financial hardship ("self-employed") last time and so I would just ride that same rhythm again this time. Only problem - system is changed. Asked about it and the kid checking me in says, oh that was illegal. You can only be excused by the judge.

Next thing you know I'm in Courtroom 10F, listening to this very entertaining and reassuring judge weave the space for us, and watching the two attorneys. This one was too easy, even the newbies in Psychic 101 could ace it. Attorney for the state: grounded, steady, midline, here to do his job, uh huh. Attorney for the accused: slimy, fidgety, snarky - looking all the world guilty FOR his client (who of course had entered the plea of not guilty to both murder charges (!)). Oh, and a very BAD hair plug job. The accused himself: cranking on headphones as his translator murmured in creole, but nasty, nasty, big red arrow pointing to the reptilian segment of brainstem that pulled the trigger.

The judge actual used the term "cold neutral" as in, would any of you have a problem staying in a cold neutral place to consider the accused innocent unless proven guilty?

Me!!! It's too obvious!!!

Case closed. Out the door us dissenters go.