Short Circuit 344 | Can a Jury Only Go Up to Eleven?

“Twelve” isn’t just another word for a dozen or the original number of Apostles. It’s how many jurors sit on a criminal jury. Well, except in some cases. And one of those cases, from the Second Circuit, IJ’s Bob McNamara details to us this week. A New York man was prosecuted for making death threats to various broadcasters and politicians. Along the way the jury whittled down to 11 members. Which then found the defendant guilty. The Second Circuit said it’s all fine because it seemed clear the guy did it. But, as Bob explains, “juries do stuff.” Then it’s off to the Fifth Circuit for some different views of video. Anya Bidwell of IJ relates that one particular video demonstrates—or does it?—that a police officer may have been out of line and violated the Fourth Amendment with excessive force. All three judges on the panel write a take about a roadside encounter between police and a driver’s boyfriend that was imperfectly—or was it?—captured by a video camera. Two judges think this means the whole question should go to a jury. Another judge disagrees, and pines for qualified immunity.

Click here for transcript.

Spiller v. Harris County

U.S. v. Johnson

Scott v. Harris

Scene from Twelve Angry Men