The book A Trial by Jury written by D. Graham Burnett gives an intimate look into the jury while painting a vivid picture of what really goes on while a person is serving on jury duty. In the book there are two stories: "one is the case itself- a trial story, a courtroom story, a drama focused on a violent death; and that of the deliberations- the story of what happened behind the closed door of the jury room. (13)" .
In this book there are twelve different characters that have to serve on jury duty. Dean, Felipe, Leah, Olivelle, Rachel, Patricia, James, Jessica, Suzy, Paige, Adelle, as well as the narrator. Dean was a six foot three inch former bull riding cowboy. Felipe Rodriguez seemed to be shy and sweet and giggled often. Leah Tennent was a self-possessed and buoyantly bohemian young woman. Olivelle "Vel" Tover was a youthful clear-eyed black woman. Rachel Patis was a solid quiet West Indian woman who volunteered at her local police precinct. Patricia "Pat" Malley was a dyed blonde tough girl who spoke loudly and much. In the group of twelve there was two professional historians (Adelle and Burnett), two ad-copy writers (Jessica and Jim), a globe trotting Gen-X software developer (Leah), an industrial-vacuum cleaner repairman (Dean), an interior decorator (Paige), an "independent marketing executive" and part time security guard (Rachel), an actress and bartender (Pat), a manager of certain commercial enterprises (Vel), and two others of less clear occupations (Felipe, Suzy). .
D. Graham Burnett lets the reader see through his eyes what is was like from beginning to end to be a juror on "The People of New York v. Monte Virginia Milcray" in which Milcray was being tried for murder. The book goes to on to show in the very beginning with how the jury was weaned down to the twelve of them to the very end of the process when they jurors were trying to reach a verdict. .
The book opens the eyes of many people like me who have not been called for jury duty.
