When I was counsel to the New Hampshire Department of Security, I was summoned to federal jury duty. I begged off because an NH statute precluded my position from jury service. The gods in the Federal District decided a state statute did not bind them. I was ordered to appear for federal jury service.
The federal gods sent me a juror questionnaire to complete. I refused to give them the names and addresses of my four brothers, having in my mind how many federal jurors have been intimidated by the criminal elements in our society.
We want to thank Charles Bradley for this Contribution. Submit yours to steve@granitegrok.com
When the jury was impaneled, I was ordered to report separately from all the others. In the federal district Courtroom, the federal magistrate brought in all his girlfriends and threatened me. I told him I would never give them the names and addresses of my brothers but agreed to give them my SSN.
I had given my wife a press release in case they sent me to jail. The magistrate said the three Federal District Court judges were listening. I said, ” So What?”.
My acquaintance and ridemate at the time said to me, ” You just told the entire FDC to go to Hell!”
I often saw these judges walking around Concord. They knew!
A while later, my son was called for jury service and said to me in utter amazement, ” Dad, the question is gone. I can not imagine how many lives you may have saved,”
