Feb. 1st: Two Jurors tossed from panel for refusing to be part of
process to give life sentence for $300 bike theft
"Two Placer County jurors who balked at deliberations that could help
send a bicycle thief to prison for life were replaced [February 1st] after
saying their consciences wouldn't allow a 'three strikes' verdict" reports the
Sacramento Bee.
The two jurors had no problem finding the defendant
guilty of burglary, but said they couldn't live with themselves if they
complied with the judge's order to validate two prior convictions.
"Your honor, I have a moral objection to being a part of a process that would
impose a life sentence on someone for stealing a $300 bike," Joe Wilcox of
Christian Valley declared under questioning by Placer County Judge Joe
O'Flaherty.
"Morally, I can't do it either," said Debbie Holland of
Roseville.
O'Flaherty replaced the two jurors with alternates. Within
an hour, all 12 panelists returned verdicts confirming that defendant Steven
Vincent Bell, 35, had been convicted of two Nevada burglaries -- in 1984 at the
age of 19 and again in 1989 at 25. "Jurors booted for '3 strikes' objection:
Judge replaces two panelists during trial of bicycle thief," by Wayne Wilson,
Sacramento Bee, 2/2/00.
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Date last modified: 05/01/00.