Friday, November 21, 2008

Our court is not in session on Friday. One of the jurors has to attend a funeral. The trial will begin again on Monday.  I wonder if there will be a verdict in this case before Thanksgiving. 

No comments on the actual trial today.  I think I experienced every human emotion at one point except joy.  It is exhausting on everyone.  As depressing as it is inside the court the witnesses called at 10:00 am sometimes are dismissed at 4:30 pm without getting to testify.  Witnesses are not allowed inside the court to watch the proceedings. They must wait in the granite hallway outside the courtroom.  There are no seats, not even ones as uncomfortable as airport chairs, only cold stone benches with no backs.  It is like waiting inside a mausoleum. 

The outside of the building is floor to ceiling glass windows.  The view of the San Fernando Valley at the seventh floor level is stunning.  For the first few days,  the brown smoke clouds from recent fires hung on the horizon making the world look dirty and glum.  Today it was clear and beautiful. It was one of those days in LA when the mountains take on the blue color of a Maxfield Parrish painting.  This beautiful view does not sync with the lifeless atmosphere of the Superior court hallway. 

It was an usually surreal atmosphere at the courthouse today. In front of the two buildings that house the Municipal and Superior court buildings is a mall.  Today a "farmers market" street fair occupied this park like space.  Folk Singers were strumming guitars and singing among tents selling an assortment of interesting goods and foods. This street fair circus contrasted with the line of people cued up at the security entrance into the courthouse.  Inside, the atmosphere is anything but festive.  

So far there is not a job in the judicial system I would want to have.  Not a lawyer, not a clerk, not a bailiff nor judge; not a juror, not a defendant, not a DA nor a cop.  The absolute last thing I would like to be is a defendant.  I have not seen a happy person yet.  

Tomorrow is the weekly astrological forecast from Medium Rare.  Enjoy.  Dunne out.
As you were,
Jay

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