Woman Begs Out of Jury Duty in the Parkland Shooting to Take Care of Her Husband, 2 Kids, and See Her Sugar Daddy Every Day
Amy Beth Bennett. Shutterstock Images.Jury selection has begun in the trial of Nicholas Cruz, accused of premeditated murder of 14 people at the Marjorie Stoneham Douglas High School in Parkland four years ago. The solemn task of presiding over this trial falls to Florida Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer. And her responsibility begins with seeing that Cruz's guilt or innocence is determined by a jury of his peers. Twelve people, good and true.
Having empaneled literally hundreds of juries in my years working in the Massachusetts Trial Court, I can assure you it's an earnest, serious process. One for which all involved conduct with a great deal of reverence. The right to a Trial by Jury is often referred to as one of the great civilizing influences in our society. Whether the charges are simple shoplifting or mass murder. And so falls to Judge Scherer the duty of finding a dozen impartial people to serve their community in this way.
And in case you forgot Parkland is in Florida, here's your reminder:
Source - Footage from the courtroom shows Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer asking whether anyone has any concerns about the requirements asked of them.
'Miss Bristol' piped up to say not only was the trial expected to take 'a whole entire month', it conflicted with her birthday and would interrupt her love life.
'First of all let me clarify myself, July second is my birthday, July Fourth is my son, and the 18th is my other son. And again, I need to figure out something. I have my sugar daddy that I see every day.'
The judge replied: 'I'm sorry?' Bristol replied: 'My sugar daddy.'
The judge, looking increasingly confused, said: 'I'm not exactly sure what you're talking about.'
'Well I am married and I have my sugar daddy. I see him every day.'
Lost for words, Judge Scherer replied: 'OK. All right. Ma'am, we'll come back to you, OK? Thank you.'
That's my kind of judge, that's my kind of justice. The Honorable Elizabeth Scherer understands. She may have dedicated her life to public service, but she hasn't lost the common touch. She appreciates the burdens we all deal with, and that sitting through a month long trial would be a major disruption to our lives. Some of us have jobs to get to. Others have businesses to run. Some have their educations to complete. Others have commitments like major surgery scheduled. And still others have birthday parties to organize and baby daddies to see.
How can we expect any mom to spend a full day listening to evidence in a mass killing trial and then pull off a cake and presents? Who's going to pick up the slack on that? The kids' father? Never mind fulfilling the obligations of a sugar daddy. Those lonely old creeps spending down their grandkids' inheritance before they make their way to dusty death can't pay attention to themselves! They require service! They need the sweet, sweet care of someone like Miss Bristol in order to be fulfilled. To feel they have worth as a human being. And that is an every day thing.
Justice for the victims is vital to all of us. Justice for the accused is a bedrock of our legal system. But justice for sugar daddies is every bit as important. If that principle is not in the Constitution, we need to put it in, this very day.
