Juror Draws Mixed Verdict

Various Letters and e-mail, Denver Post
March 29, 1997
Feedback: letters@denverpost.com

Kriho mocked law

Thus far the debate over Laura kriho's juror misconduct case misses the point. It is the duty of jurors to determine all the facts in the case then apply those facts to the law as it is explained to them by the judge in order to reach a verdict. A juror who refuses to follow the law, choosing instead to argue with other jurors whether the law is correct or one she agrees with, violates her juror's oath, frustrates the jury system so fundamental to American justice and effectively denies the parties to the lawsuit their constitutional right to a jury trial.

The jury selection process is designed to ferret out jurors who have pre-conceived biases and prejudices that will prevent impartial deliberation. And it most assuredly must weed out jurors so partial and biased that they intend to ignore, rather than apply, the law applicable to the case.
The jury system won a victory with Judge Nieto's ruling.

MILES CORTEZ, President, Colorado Bar Association

Hero to her parents

At least one comment in the Post's "Runaway Juror" editorial of March 11 was true. Life certainly does not always imitate art. We wish our daughter, Laura Kriho, was getting rich like the law student in John Grisham's novel. Instead, she is facing a long and expensive appeal process, resulting from her conviction for obstruction of justice while trying to do her civil duty. Regardless of her political views, Laura never purposely withheld any information in order to get on a jury. Would anyone look forward to losing a day's pay to sit around a jury room all day, waiting to be called.

Besides, Laura was too busy to think deep thoughts about jury nullification. She has been an activist in the industrial hemp movement for several years, devoting any spare time that she
had to this important issue. Laura is a "hero" to us, because somewhere along the way she has learned to stand up for what she believes in. If this decision is not reversed, will we all have
to demand a court-appointed lawyer before answering any question in the jury room?

RALPH and VIRGINIA KRIHO
Willow Springs, IL

The real contempt

The editorial shows as much contempt for the truth as Judge Henry Nieto, Judge Kenneth Barnhill and prosecutor Stanley (symbolized by the 3 bronze jackasses in front of the Gilpin County Courthouse) show for the U.S. Constitution. Do any of you know what country this is?

EVAN RAVITZ
Boulder

Juries should nullify

The jury system was created and sustained by the founding fathers as part of the "checks and balances" designed to limit the power accruing any one branch of government. So, if the
legislative branch passes laws whose enforcement doesn't fit with the conscience of the public, you will find many instances of jury nullification of those laws.

If the juries in the 1850's had been selected as today's juries are, anyone who held the opinion that slavery was unjust would have been excused from the jury.

LINDA HARDESTY
Lafayette

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