Friday afternoon verdicts.

[Tomconroy]

Last edited Thu Nov 18, 2021, 10:27 PM - Edit history (2)

Being retired, tonight I had to ask my wife while we were on nightly dog patrol: Is today Wednesday? And she told me: No. It's Thursday.
All of which put me in mind of a phenomenon known as the Friday afternoon verdict. I can't believe it's unique to my jurisdiction. But more often than not, if a jury has been deliberating for several days when Friday afternoon rolls around you would hear a knock at the jury door and word would go out that a verdict had been reached.
Does it happen all the time? Of course not. But it happened more often than random chance would dictate.
Why does it happen? Actually your opinion would be better than mine. I've never served on a jury so I don't really know much about jury dynamics.
If the Rittenhouse jury goes into next week that tells me that there are a number of people on both sides who have very strongly held opinions about some issues.
PS There is also a Monday morning phenomenon. I guess people take the weekend to reflect and don't look forward to more long days of argument.

[Jacson6]

1. Especially with next week being Thanksgiving Weekend

People only want to think about eating Turkey, pumpkin pie & Shopping on Black Friday.

[underpants]

2. It also asks for trouble

I was thinking about this earlier today. A verdict either way on a Friday could end up being ugly.

[PoliticAverse]

3. It likely happens because the people involved don't want to spend a weekend with nothing to do

away from their families. Note that this would only apply if the jury is being sequestered.

[Upthevibe]

4. It does seem like a lot happens on Fridays....

I'm inclined to believe that there very well may be some people on both sides who have strong opinions regarding this case.

I wonder what happens if there's a hung jury?

[Tomconroy]

5. Everybody has to reevaluate and start over.

Rittenhouse might need a new lawyer. Sounds like the money may be running out.