The Mafia, the Death Penalty and Me

[WanderingStar]

Not a punk rock song title.
In March I was summoned to federal court for jury duty. While inconvenient, I belive it is important. After the requisite couple of days sitting around and being sent home, I was given a 68 page questionnaire and shown a defense team and a defendant. The questions dealt largely with the mafia andf the death penalty. Some were silly "Do you watch 'The Sopranos'?". Many were about the death penalty, life in prison, experience with crime and courts. I believe in the death penalty, though of course it needs to be applied carefully. Having philosophical discussions is different than sitting looking at a defendant that you might be asked to decide to kill. Serious stuff. This was a racketeering and murder trial. They were careful to keep the jurors anonymous for safety, and to avoid tampering. When I was finally interviewed by the judge, they focused on my law enforcement career. I'd met members of the Gotti family, and been on a first name basis with them. The judge dismissed me, probably to protect me from threats or influence.
The defendant, "Gorgeous Vinny" Bosciano, was convicted last week, and sentenced to life in prison.