Jury Duty

I was picked to serve on a jury last week. It was a sexual assault case. To say I was nervous is an understatement. I realize what a huge responsibility it is to serve on a jury and have a say in the future of another person's life. I went in with an open mind ready to listen to all the facts. After the first day of testimony, I could have gone either way. After the second, I knew the guy was guilty. After the third day and the judgement phase of the trial I knew he should be locked up for several years. He showed no remorse for his actions and even tried to blame as many other people as he could for all his run ins with the law. He was portraying himself as the victim. We ended up finding him guilty (obviously) and sentencing him to 6 years in prison. I really wanted him to serve 9-10 years, but we had to agree on a term. Everyone ended up having to compromise (some more than others) so we settled on 6.
Young people (not all, of course) seem to think they can do whatever pleases them a the moment without thinking about the consequences and long term effects of their actions. (I guess I shouldn't just say young people, but some people. These people just happened to be relatively young.)  When you combine alcohol, drugs and sex the outcome is never going to be positive. One of the character witnesses for the defendant while explaining their night of partying said, "You know, everyone does it." I wanted to stand up and say, "No, not everyone does it!" Some people justify their behavior by saying that everyone does it so it must be okay. It's not okay to drink until you can't remember, use illegal drugs and think you can have sex with someone just because you are in their apartment and they are passed out in their bedroom. IT IS NOT OKAY!!!
This was not considered a "violent" crime. There were no weapons used. No one was physically injured. Those were the reasons we could only choose a sentence between 2 and 20 years.
I keep thinking about the people involved in this case (victim, witnesses, defendant, parents, family members) and what 6 years seems like to them now. For some it is not long enough. For others it is too long. Yes, six years will pass and the guy will be out of prison. My hope and prayer (yes, I have prayed for him and all involved) is that he will receive the treatment he needs and will come out a reformed man. I know the odds are against him, but there is always hope. My hope and prayer for the victim is that she will be able to pick herself up and change her lifestyle so it doesn't include the things mentioned above. She has a daughter who deserves to grow up with a sense of right and wrong. I pray she will get the counseling she so desperately needs to move on with her life in a positive and productive way.
This case was emotionally draining, but I'm so glad and thankful that I got to be a part of it. I learned a lot about the judicial system and the order of things in a court room. I also learned a lot about my stance on things relating to this case. I am, however, ready to get back to my little life of work, kids, football games, family and spending time at home. I am extremely blessed and thankful for my quiet, undramatic little piece of this world!

Bullet point update

• We have finished two weeks of school. Reality has set in that this is an every day thing! My body is trying to get used to the routine. I go through this every year, but it never gets easier.
• Drew is back in action! The doctor said he can go back to driving and most of his normal activities, but he can't lift, push or pull with his right arm. I guess he forgot about this when he decided to trim the bushes and trees yesterday~on a ladder! It is amazing to me that just six short weeks ago our lives could have turned out so differently. I am thankful every day that his accident wasn't worse than it was. He will probably always have some range of motion or strength limitations and the nerve in his leg bothers him daily, but I am thankful he is still alive and didn't have a serious head injury.
• Jackson is training for a 5k in October. He runs at school during the week and he and I run on Sunday mornings. I enjoy spending that time with him and he seems to like it, too. We ran 1.25 miles today and he didn't stop. Our goal is to not walk on the Sunday runs.
• I am training for a half marathon again. I will run one in October and another one in December. We ran 7 miles on Saturday. The temperature was awesome, but is was very windy. I am looking forward to running, but with the way my knee has been feeling it may be my last year to run long distances. I know I've said that before, but I have really been in a lot of pain daily. I may have to stick to shorter distances or mud runs.
• Bryson has started playing football at school. His first game is next Monday. I am looking forward to having a son in athletics. Hopefully he will get some playing time since his daddy is one of the coaches! 
• Addison LOVES kindergarten! She has a great teacher and is excited to go to school each morning! 
• Drew made bacon wrapped jalapeños and hamburgers for dinner. They were good!
• Addison had her first soccer game yesterday. She got embarrassed, started crying and ran off the field. She did tell me after the game that she gets it now and will do better next week! We'll see!
• Drew started running again last Thursday! I almost forgot to mention this! He wakes up at 4 when I do and goes for about 45 minutes. He says it's slow going right now, but I didn't think he would even be able to run this soon.  He is trying really hard to get in shape and I am very proud of him!
• 38 more weeks until summer! These are total weeks, not school weeks! You know I like to count down.
• I'll be back with more later!