Not really, but thanks. Saw an article from a lawyer that explained it. Basically, you can say what you want (slit throats, kill, wipe out, whatever) so long as you plead not guilty, say sorry and it's aimed at someone or a group who is/are White, British, Straight, Christian or no religion. Yes, Lucy Connolly was advised to plead guilty and did, the despicable Ricky Jones didn't and so was tried and found not guilty because his vile comments in front of a large crowd and filmed were aimed at what he called Far Right, and because he said he didn't really mean it, and there was no demonstrable link to actual violence happening as a result. The jurors and judge did nothing wrong. The law is an ass. That's what the uni-party have delivered for you over recent decades. A two-tier legal system that needs a reset. Lucy Connolly made really stupid comments (no doubt) on line, not even spoken, nor in front of a crowd on film, and were taken down a couple of hours later and apologised for. One gets 3 years with a failed appeal. The other nothing. That's not right, that's not fair justice. Batshit bonkers Britain.
Having done jury service, what you can actually 'try' is very limited to the rule of law, though one person did want to convict 'because he looks the type'. Luckily the actual 'video' evidence in our case was conclusive for the 'assault', as up to that point it was a 'he said / she said' case and we would have had to acquit.
I've done jury service and it didn't give me any confidence in the legal process. Innocence or guilt could be determined by how close to teatime it is.
First time I did it, 9 & 1/2 days without a case and then sent home. The ushers said at one point it had been 3 months without a case going to trial, as pleas bargaining on the day got reduced sentences and longer on 'remand' conditions / privileges. Second time, case midweek, completed by Friday, excused the second week as there were that many spare jurors. Was yours people just wanting to get home early?
Yes, pressure on people to sway with the majority just to get a verdict in order to go home. They weren't particularly serious cases though, I might add.
