9.19.2004
In New York, it's OK to Drink & Deliberate.
At the recent trial of a firefighter accused of petty larceny - stealing souvenirs - at Ground Zero, Juror #4 enjoyed the contents of a 16-oz Poland Spring bottle. It was filled with equal parts water and vodka.
[He nipped] at it during the four hours of deliberations after eating half of a ham and cheese hero. He had drained two-thirds of the bottle during deliberations, and after the verdict was read he took a last "big swig," he testified.
As one might expect, the convicted fireman appealed. But the verdict stood, because "[t]here is apparently no law against drinking while serving as a juror and deliberating the fate of a fellow New Yorker."
At the recent trial of a firefighter accused of petty larceny - stealing souvenirs - at Ground Zero, Juror #4 enjoyed the contents of a 16-oz Poland Spring bottle. It was filled with equal parts water and vodka.
[He nipped] at it during the four hours of deliberations after eating half of a ham and cheese hero. He had drained two-thirds of the bottle during deliberations, and after the verdict was read he took a last "big swig," he testified.
As one might expect, the convicted fireman appealed. But the verdict stood, because "[t]here is apparently no law against drinking while serving as a juror and deliberating the fate of a fellow New Yorker."
// posted by HunterByrd @ 6:02 AM 
