Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Just a quick post to wish my mom a VERY happy birthday! I love you. Your gift will arrive in 5-9 business days and your card is sitting on my coffee table, half complete (I'll mail it tomorrow).
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
BSU Reunion Weekend
The past few days have been somewhat of a Ball State Alumni Reunion of sorts. First with jury duty last week and the judge being a Ball State grad. This weekend I had a reunion with one of my college girlfriends, Stacy Scholl. She's on vacation with her family at Disney. On sunday, I joined her at the parks. First we went to Animal Kingdom. When that closed for the day, we headed to MGM Studios. My feet and legs are still sore from all the miles and miles we walked. It was great to see her and catch up. We haven't seen each other in over 2 years (since Trisha's wedding). Last night, I met up with Amy Heck, another BSU alumnus. We were more or less aquaintances during our college years, but she is living here in Orlando and works at the Campus Crusade for Christ headquarters. It was great to see her again as well. To think that we live in the same city, but never see each other. But we are both very busy and have our own circle of friends. Although, now that we have reconnected, I hope that we will see each other more often.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Jury Duty
This week I performed my civic duty to Orange County, Florida by reporting for my very first jury duty. I was summoned to report to the 9th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida at the Orange County Courthouse in downtown Orlando. I arrived at 8am. There were 11 cases scheduled for the day. The first group was called around 10:00. At around 11, I was finally called (just as I got a seat at one of the computer stations). Thirty of us (one of the largest groups) took the elevators up to the 12th floor to Courtroom 12D. We all filed in to sit in the hard benches. I struck up a conversation with one of the potential jurors sitting next to me and found out that she is one of the DJs of my favorite radio station, Z88.3 (the Christian radio station).
Once we were all seated, the Honorable Judge Thomas W. Hunter explained the whole jury selection (voi duir) process. He introduced the lawyers and the defendant, the announced the charges "sexual battery on someone under the age of twelve." A few of the jurors were released right away because they felt they could not handle the case.
We broke for lunch around 12:30. It stopped pouring rain just in time. I took a walk to Subway (about 3 blocks), to return with blisters on my feet. I ate my sandwich in the front courtyard. After lunch, I took the elevator up to the 23rd floor (the top). The Orange County Courthouse is the tallest building in Orlando at 416 feet. From the women's restroom, you can get quite a view of Trinity Lutheran's Campus.
We were to report back at 1:45, but we didn't resume until after 2:00. When we rejourned, the lawyers then began their questioning. They asked whether or not we could convict someone only on the basis of a child's testimony. They asked the mother's if they could put aside their "motherly instinct" to protect the child. They asked if anyone has been a victom of a crime. They asked who had ever been arrested. And so on and so on. I was never asked as single direct question. I did get singled out, however, by the judge inbetween questioning because he noticed that I went to Ball State just like him (he graduated with David Letterman). After about an hour or so, they told us to go out in the hall while they made their choices. After a half-hour we returned to the courtroom. The judge called off seven names and they were to go up into the jury box and the rest were released. My name was the fifth one to be called. I was to report back to the courthouse at 9:30 on Wednesday.
Wednesday, the day of the trial. The deputy escorted us back to the deliberation room where I met up with the other 6 jurors. Around 10, the trial actually began. The lawyers both gave their opening statements and the prosecution called it's first witness, a detective in charge of the case. He then called two more witnesses, the mother and the child herself. We broke for lunch the came back to have the defense begin their case. The defense only called the grandmother, the defendant's wife. Yes, the child accused her step-grandfather of sexual battery. After all the questioning, cross-examination, objections, closing arguments and rebuttals we, the jury, adjourned to the deliberation room. It was about 4:30 by now. We deliberated for about an hour. We were pretty sure of our decision, but some of us wanted to sleep on it (and get the next day off of work). We decided to adjourn for the day and return in the morning. It's a good thing that church is right next to the courthouse because I was late for The Way.
We met again on Thursday morning and finished our deliberation. After about a half-hour we all agreed that we thought the defendant was "probably" guilty, but with the little and poor evidence we were given, we couldn't find enough proof to convict him. We voted on a not guilty verdict. After court adjourned, the judge met us back in the deliberation to thank us and help answer any questions we may have had. He also informed us that the defendant had been tried on a similar charge a few months ago and was found guilty. He is currently serving a life sentence without paroll. So really, it wouldn't have made much of a difference no matter which way we voted. The judge also assured us not to feel bad about our verdict. He agreed that our decision was very logical with what we were given. While he probably did commit the crime, there just wasn't enough convincing evidence.
This was a very difficult case for a first-time jury experience. In fact, all of us were first-timers. While this was a very good experience and I'm glad I was able to participate, I'm glad I won't have to do it again for a while.
Once we were all seated, the Honorable Judge Thomas W. Hunter explained the whole jury selection (voi duir) process. He introduced the lawyers and the defendant, the announced the charges "sexual battery on someone under the age of twelve." A few of the jurors were released right away because they felt they could not handle the case.
We broke for lunch around 12:30. It stopped pouring rain just in time. I took a walk to Subway (about 3 blocks), to return with blisters on my feet. I ate my sandwich in the front courtyard. After lunch, I took the elevator up to the 23rd floor (the top). The Orange County Courthouse is the tallest building in Orlando at 416 feet. From the women's restroom, you can get quite a view of Trinity Lutheran's Campus.
We were to report back at 1:45, but we didn't resume until after 2:00. When we rejourned, the lawyers then began their questioning. They asked whether or not we could convict someone only on the basis of a child's testimony. They asked the mother's if they could put aside their "motherly instinct" to protect the child. They asked if anyone has been a victom of a crime. They asked who had ever been arrested. And so on and so on. I was never asked as single direct question. I did get singled out, however, by the judge inbetween questioning because he noticed that I went to Ball State just like him (he graduated with David Letterman). After about an hour or so, they told us to go out in the hall while they made their choices. After a half-hour we returned to the courtroom. The judge called off seven names and they were to go up into the jury box and the rest were released. My name was the fifth one to be called. I was to report back to the courthouse at 9:30 on Wednesday.
Wednesday, the day of the trial. The deputy escorted us back to the deliberation room where I met up with the other 6 jurors. Around 10, the trial actually began. The lawyers both gave their opening statements and the prosecution called it's first witness, a detective in charge of the case. He then called two more witnesses, the mother and the child herself. We broke for lunch the came back to have the defense begin their case. The defense only called the grandmother, the defendant's wife. Yes, the child accused her step-grandfather of sexual battery. After all the questioning, cross-examination, objections, closing arguments and rebuttals we, the jury, adjourned to the deliberation room. It was about 4:30 by now. We deliberated for about an hour. We were pretty sure of our decision, but some of us wanted to sleep on it (and get the next day off of work). We decided to adjourn for the day and return in the morning. It's a good thing that church is right next to the courthouse because I was late for The Way.
We met again on Thursday morning and finished our deliberation. After about a half-hour we all agreed that we thought the defendant was "probably" guilty, but with the little and poor evidence we were given, we couldn't find enough proof to convict him. We voted on a not guilty verdict. After court adjourned, the judge met us back in the deliberation to thank us and help answer any questions we may have had. He also informed us that the defendant had been tried on a similar charge a few months ago and was found guilty. He is currently serving a life sentence without paroll. So really, it wouldn't have made much of a difference no matter which way we voted. The judge also assured us not to feel bad about our verdict. He agreed that our decision was very logical with what we were given. While he probably did commit the crime, there just wasn't enough convincing evidence.
This was a very difficult case for a first-time jury experience. In fact, all of us were first-timers. While this was a very good experience and I'm glad I was able to participate, I'm glad I won't have to do it again for a while.
Friday, September 09, 2005
A Family Affair
I just spent the evening with my friend Jen and her family, her WHOLE family: grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins - The Schumacher Clan (as their fondly referred to at Trinity). Jen's uncle grilled hot dogs and hamburgers on the back patio. Her cousin (Amy*) showed us pictures of some of the animals from the shelter she volunteers at in Gainsville. We sat around talking and laughing. It was just like being with my own family. Jen & I have become really close over the past year or so. I think of her as a sister. We email practically every day and we see each other at least 4 out of the 7 days of the week. And to think, the only contact I have with my brothers is through this blog (if they even read it). And so, Jen has unofficially adopted me as a member of her family, which is great since I don't have any "biological" family down here. But don't worry, they could NEVER replace my family. While we were all laughing and joking around, one of her aunts thought that they might be scaring me off into thinking that their crazy or something. But I responed with, "well, you haven't met MY family." And no, I'm not saying that any of YOU are crazy or anything, but we all have our own little quirks. What would family gatherings be without Dad's tidiness, Mike's humor, Dale showing off his latest gadget, Amanda andMom as the unofficial photographer's, a few bottles of wine - courtesy of Sam, Joel stealing the spotlight, a game of Peaches, Peaches. I can't wait for Thanksgiving!!! Tonight did make me a little homesick, even though I had a wonderful visit from the folks just last weekend! Mom gave me a call tonight to tell me they were on their way to Chicago to see Mike & Sonia. They're just making the rounds.
*An interesting story is that when I first started going to Trinity, people would ask my name and I would say, "Amy." Many would then reply, "Oh, Amy Schumacher." Of course I'd say, "no, Kushnir." I hadn't been officially introduced to her until tonight, but had seen her at church a few times (she's a student at UF). I guess we look somewhat similar, about the same height, same hair color. So I guess if people mistake me for being part of that family, then it's meant to be.
*An interesting story is that when I first started going to Trinity, people would ask my name and I would say, "Amy." Many would then reply, "Oh, Amy Schumacher." Of course I'd say, "no, Kushnir." I hadn't been officially introduced to her until tonight, but had seen her at church a few times (she's a student at UF). I guess we look somewhat similar, about the same height, same hair color. So I guess if people mistake me for being part of that family, then it's meant to be.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Asthma Walk 2005
Dear Family & Friends (and anyone else who may read this),
Until recently, I did not know that asthma is the leading chronic illness among children and the cause of more than 5,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. I'm sure there are many more people who are unaware of the devastating effects of this chronic lung disease.
Therefore, I am sending you a healthy reminder that I have signed up as a participant in the American Lung Association of Florida's 2005 Blow the Whistle on Asthma Walk, scheduled for September 10 (which is less than 2 weeks away) at Blue Jacket Park in Orlando. I have set a personal fundraising goal of $500.00 to help the Lung Association in its fight against asthma, and I would appreciate your support in helping me reach this goal. If you have already pledged your support, many thanks go out to you. Any amount, big or small, can help fight for those who wish to breath easier.
Please visit my personal web page (just click on the title of this blog) and follow the instructions to make a secure online donation. I would appreciate any contribution you decide to make.
Thanks in advance for your support.
Until recently, I did not know that asthma is the leading chronic illness among children and the cause of more than 5,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. I'm sure there are many more people who are unaware of the devastating effects of this chronic lung disease.
Therefore, I am sending you a healthy reminder that I have signed up as a participant in the American Lung Association of Florida's 2005 Blow the Whistle on Asthma Walk, scheduled for September 10 (which is less than 2 weeks away) at Blue Jacket Park in Orlando. I have set a personal fundraising goal of $500.00 to help the Lung Association in its fight against asthma, and I would appreciate your support in helping me reach this goal. If you have already pledged your support, many thanks go out to you. Any amount, big or small, can help fight for those who wish to breath easier.
Please visit my personal web page (just click on the title of this blog) and follow the instructions to make a secure online donation. I would appreciate any contribution you decide to make.
Thanks in advance for your support.
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