No one knows how many days it will take for the Kyle Rittenhouse jury to render a verdict. News reports say there's a good chance this could be declared a mistrial because of prosecutorial malfeasance -- in particular, the withholding of evidence from the defense.
Given the tumult that has engulfed our nation in the past 1 1/2 years, with Antifa and Black Lives Matter rioting in many cities, with documented assaults against Trump supporters and law enforcement officers, with threats routinely made on social media and in person between people of opposing political viewpoints, and with political polarization at toxic levels, are not jurors extremely vulnerable?
On one level, jurors who want to acquit Rittenhouse may fear that they will be responsible for provoking unrest that could lead to death, injuries and widespread property destruction. They see the menacing signs and hear the angry slogans the crowds outside the courthouse are chanting. They probably do watch news programs during their off hours and talk to friends and relatives on the phone, even if the judge has instructed them not to do so.
On the other hand, some jurors may not be that concerned about the societal ramifications. Instead, they fear for the personal safety of themselves and their families. In today's vicious environment, someone who goes against the PC grain can be "outed," which means demonization and threats on Twitter, mobs chanting and marching outside your house in the middle of the night, possibly slashed tires and broken windows, and worst of all, harm or death to you and/or family members. These rage incidents can spiral out of control in short order.
Being one of a few jury members who insisted on NOT convicting Kyle Rittenhouse is not the kind of "15 minutes of fame" Andy Warhol talked about a half century ago!
If I were a law student or working on a Ph.D., researching the issue of juror anonymity, as well as threats and violence against jurors, would be a fascinating project. There may already be some exhaustive studies and white papers out there dealing with this subject. Frankly, I don't have the time or inclination to look for them.
If I were a professional in the field and being paid to delve into it, I would certainly do so. But I'm just a part-time blogger who comments and writes for the fun of it. Here's hoping that major players with a hell of a lot more clout and influence than I have will take the ball and run with it.
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