Casey Anthony Jurors' Names Should Not Be Released
COMMENTARY | As upset as I am at the Anthony jury, who I think dropped the ball big time, I don't think their names should be released.
Rachel E. Fugate, an attorney representing four local Florida news organizations and the Associated Press, went before Judge Belvin Perry Thursday demanding the release of the names of the jurors in the Casey Anthony trial. The Orlando Sentinel, The Tampa Tribune, the St. Petersburg Times, WFTV-Channel 9 and the AP claim that case law backs up the view that the public's right to know is more important than the jury's right to privacy.
I totally disagree with that argument. If the jurors choose to go public, that's their decision. However, Judge Perry pointed out at Thursday's hearing, covered live on HLN-TV Thursday, that one juror received a threat to filet him. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Perry noted, "Our landscape in this country has changed. People have no reservation -- about walking up to an individual, pulling a gun or knife -- .and because they disagree with them, hurt them or kill them."
When the attorney claimed that the judge was in just as much in danger, he answered that he chose to be where he was; the jury didn't. And it is my belief also that that lack of choice on the part of the jurors gives them more of a right to privacy than the other players in this trial.
Fugate claimed that an anonymous jury could "undercut or delegitimize the verdict." In whose eyes? The press? The public who wants their blood? Who cares whether they think the verdict is undercut or delegitimized? I don't believe keeping jurors' names anonymous is against our Constitution or violates the public's right to know. No one, myself included, will want to serve on a high-profile jury if they think their safety afterward will be in jeopardy.
Perry got in a little jab that he "had better things to do this afternoon" before deciding that "the best he could do" is instate a cooling off period. While he did not specify how long the cooling off period will last, seven to 10 days was discussed. The problem with that is Casey Anthony is set to be released July 17, right after the jurors names would be released. This would be a disaster.
To the press, I say please: leave these jurors alone. Deal with the ones who want to talk. The rights of these jurors to safety is more important than your right to sell papers or draw viewers.
Published by Patricia Sicilia - Featured Contributor in Travel
A Domestic Travel Featured Contributor, Patricia Sicilia's wordsmithing began at age 9 when, after reading a book way too old for her, she told her mother "I'm retiring to my boudoir." Freelancing for over... View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentAny jury's right to privacy should be patently obvious, for the reasons you stated and more. How dare those organizations try to infringe upon it?
I agree.
I agree that they shouldn't be released. It's still pretty hot.
I believe the names may be released as early as October. As long as she is free, they should be protected. Every time she writes appears on a show, gives an interview, or writes a book, (all to make money or be noticed) public anger will be stirred up again. They did not choose to be in the public eye, putting their safety on the line. It could also be a factor in future jurors' verdicts on high profile cases.
Their names should not be released. All jurors should have some form of protection when performing this duty.
I too agree with you totally on this my friend. Who's business is it. Their privacy protects them from harm in my opinion. Nicely done.
I say protect them as much as possible right now- even I am foaming at the mouth over the verdict! Imagine all the crazies who may hurt them- they are just human, after all, and make mistakes...they should not have their names released or they will get torn apart.
I can't say anything about whether she was innocent or not, because they turned that courtroom into such a circus, but I agree with the fact that the jurors' names shouldn't be released. People are far too angry and already acting upon that anger. And the media has blown this case up to epic proportions. Releasing their names is just an invitation to harm them.
I agree with you.
If it's not obvious, AP has always held a "public rights" point of view (read: liberal). I don't agree with the jury's verdict either, but that's no reason to set the jurors up as targets for public outrage.