The Pillars of Justice, sculpture by Edwina Sandys at the Court House on University Avenue. The sculpture has a larger than life representation of a stylized, eleven person jury standing in two rows under a roof representing a courthouse. It has been conceived with the post for the twelfth juror left vacant so that the viewer can perceive himself or herself in that vacant post as an integral partner in the justice system.
For a few days last week, 361 University Avenue was my office. I was summoned by the court to become a possible juror and joined hundreds of others in a jury pool.
Part of John Grisham's book Runaway Jury, was how the main character Nicholas Easter worked his way to become a juror. For a few days, I felt like I was Nicholas Easter - I really wanted to be chosen, while all the others did tricks not to be chosen. In one case, I almost got picked - until defense challenged me.
It was an interesting experience even if it consisted mostly of waiting and entertaining ourselves in a big lounge with books, magazines, and board games. But to become almost a juror - it was an experience I will not forget. If chosen, I would have fulfilled a civic duty and I would not have minded it at all.
J is for the 12th Juror.
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