Your cart is currently empty!
Tag: Jury
Cochran trial: Closing arguments heard Tuesday afternoon, jury deliberations to take place Wednesday morning
BECKLEY, W.Va. — Jury deliberations begin Wednesday morning in the murder trial of former Raleigh County pharmacist Natalie Cochran.
Natalie Cochran (WVRJA) The jury heard closing arguments from the prosecution and the defense throughout the course of the afternoon Tuesday before Judge H.L. Kirkpatrick adjourned the court until 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Cochran is accused of giving a lethal dose of insulin to her husband, Michael Cochran, 38, in 2019 once he began raising questions about the Ponzi scheme she was operating through the couple’s defense contracting business.
In her closing argument, Raleigh County assistant prosecuting attorney Ashley Acord said this was a pre-meditated murder.
“This woman, Natalie Cochran, feloniously, willfully, maliciously, deliberately, and with pre-meditation killed her husband, Michael Cochran,” Acord said.
The state rested its case last Wednesday after bringing in Forensic Pathologist Dr. Paul Uribe, who concluded, after conducting a second autopsy of Michael Cochran’s body, that he died from insulin.
On Monday, the defense rested after their expert witnesses, Forensic Pathologists Ljubisa Dragovic and Dr. Prya Banerjee, said Cochran’s death was “undetermined and undeterminable.”
Defense attorney Matthew Victor said on Tuesday that the prosecution does not have the appropriate amount of evidence to convict.
“The state cannot answer or prove beyond reasonable doubt the ‘how, how did that happen? How did this murder happen?” Victor said.
Victor, in his closing argument Tuesday, also brought up that Michael Cochran had been taking over two dozen supplements per day, as testified by the couple’s juvenile son. Victor also brought up claims that Michael Cochran was receiving supplements from out of the country, some of which were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Natalie and Michael Cochran On Monday, Natalie Cochran turned her head in court as a photo of her husband’s body was shown after his remains were exhumed.
Victor says that this is not a murder, but rather a tragedy.
“Not for a moment should you think that the defense is taking his death lightly,” Victor said. “It’s a horrible tragedy, but a tragedy, not a murder.”
Meanwhile, Acord believes the evidence is there for the jury to convict. In her final remarks, she brought up the fact that Cochran did not aid her husband or take him to the hospital right after he had gone unconscious in February 2019.
Early in the trial, it was determined Cochran had a vial in her refrigerator months after her husband’s death, which was tested and determined to contain insulin.
“Natalie Cochran had the means, knowledge and opportunity to commit this crime,” Acord said.
The trial is being streamed on Court TV.
The highly anticipated closing arguments in the Cochran trial were heard on Tuesday afternoon, bringing an end to weeks of intense courtroom drama. The prosecution and defense both made their final appeals to the jury, laying out their theories of the case and urging the jurors to come to a just verdict.The prosecution argued that the evidence presented throughout the trial clearly pointed to the defendant’s guilt, painting a picture of a cold-blooded killer who meticulously planned and executed the crime. They emphasized the testimony of key witnesses and the forensic evidence that linked the defendant to the scene of the crime.
On the other hand, the defense made a passionate plea for the jury to consider the possibility of reasonable doubt. They pointed to inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case and raised questions about the reliability of certain witnesses. The defense argued that the defendant was being unfairly scapegoated and that there were other potential suspects who were not adequately investigated.
Now, as the trial enters its final phase, the jury will begin deliberations on Wednesday morning to decide the fate of the defendant. The outcome of this high-profile case hangs in the balance, with the hopes and fears of both the prosecution and defense resting on the shoulders of the twelve jurors.
Stay tuned for updates as we await the verdict in the Cochran trial.
Tags:
Cochran trial, closing arguments, jury deliberations, legal proceedings, court case, legal system, trial updates, verdict, criminal justice, legal news
#Cochran #trial #Closing #arguments #heard #Tuesday #afternoon #jury #deliberations #place #Wednesday #morningA$AP Rocky assault trial jury hears opening arguments in alleged 2021 shooting case
Opening arguments began on Friday in the trial of A$AP Rocky. The Grammy-nominated rapper and partner to pop star Rihanna faces two felony charges related to a 2021 incident in Hollywood where he is accused of allegedly shooting at a former friend and music collaborator.
The hip-hop star, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, was charged on Aug. 15, 2022 with two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm for allegedly firing a handgun twice in the direction of the alleged victim during a confrontation.
Mayers pleaded not guilty. If convicted, the New York rapper could face up to 24 years in prison.
Rapper A$AP Rocky arrives for the 38th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards at Cipriani South Street in New York on December 4, 2024.
Leonardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images
Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec delivered the prosecution’s opening statements, arguing before the jury that a series of videos show that the rapper fired a gun at Terell Ephron.
Mayers and Ephron, who is also known by the moniker A$AP Relli, were childhood friends and both part of the Harlem-based rap collective A$AP Mob.
“This is not a complicated case. The evidence will show the events in this case were captured on surveillance video,” Przelomiec said.
Prosecutors also presented the jury with a series of maps, identifying photos, a 911 call from the night of the incident and several videos captured by surveillance cameras in the area.
Przelomiec asked the jury to “not leave your common sense at the door” and “return the only just verdict there is.”
In the defense’s opening statements, lead attorney Joe Tacopina claimed that Mayers is “innocent” and that Ephron is seeking financial gain.
“This is about one man’s lies, jealousy, and greed,” Tacopina told the jury, casting the case as “all about money.”
Asked if Ephron is expected to take the witness stand in this case, his attorney Jamal Tooson did not respond to ABC News’ requests for comment.
Tacopina also told the jury that they will hear from multiple witnesses who will testify that the gun seen in the surveillance video is “absolutely nothing more than a prop gun” that is often used in movies and music videos.
Ephron came forward as the victim of the alleged assault and filed a civil lawsuit on Aug. 10, 2022, accusing Mayers of assault, battery, inflicting emotional distress and negligence. He claimed that he was “stuck by bullet projectile/fragments” during the alleged assault.
Court records show that Mayers denied all wrongdoing in his response to the complaint.
Ephron also filed a defamation lawsuit on Sept. 19, 2023, naming Mayers and his legal team, including lead attorney Tacopina. Court documents show that in their answer to the complaint, Mayers and his attorneys denied “each and every allegation” outlined in the suit.
According to court records, both cases are pending.
Opening statements began after a jury of seven women and five men was selected on Thursday, after Mayers turned down a plea deal offered to him on Tuesday, prosecutors and Tacopina confirmed to ABC News.
In a high-profile trial that has captured the attention of fans and legal experts alike, the jury in the assault case against rapper A$AP Rocky heard opening arguments today. The prosecution alleges that A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was involved in a 2021 shooting incident that left one man injured.According to the prosecution, A$AP Rocky and his entourage were involved in a physical altercation with the alleged victim, who was shot during the altercation. The defense, however, claims that A$AP Rocky was acting in self-defense and that he did not intend to harm anyone.
As the trial gets underway, both sides are expected to present evidence and witness testimony to support their respective arguments. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for A$AP Rocky’s career and reputation, as well as for the broader conversation around self-defense and celebrity accountability.
Stay tuned for updates as the trial progresses and the jury deliberates on this high-profile case.
Tags:
- A$AP Rocky
- assault trial
- jury
- opening arguments
- alleged shooting case
- 2021
- rapper
- celebrity
- legal proceedings
- court case
- criminal trial
- hip-hop artist
- defense
- prosecution
- witness testimony
#AAP #Rocky #assault #trial #jury #hears #opening #arguments #alleged #shooting #case
How Jury Nullification Could Set Luigi Mangione Free in UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Case
Karen Friedman Agnifilo fears her client won’t get a fair trial. In a New York City courtroom on December 23, 2024, the criminal defense attorney argued government officials had been making prejudicial statements about Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in NYC on December 4, 2024.
Mangione is being treated as a “spectacle,” she claimed, with authorities putting him “on display” in “the biggest staged perp walk I’ve ever seen in my career.” The judge promised the proceedings would be fair, vowing, “We will carefully select a jury.”
But no one knows what that jury will do. In recent weeks, there’s been speculation that the Maryland native, who’s experienced a swell of popularity and support on social media amid growing criticism concerning the tactics employed by insurance companies to deny care, could be set free. Experts point to a phenomenon known as “jury nullification,” which happens when a jury might believe a defendant committed a crime but votes to acquit anyway.
“It’s a reaction by the jury to a legal result that they feel would be so unjust or morally wrong that they refuse to impose it, despite what the law says,” Cheryl Bader, an associate professor of law at Fordham University Law School, says.
Sympathy vs. Evidence in Luigi Mangione’s Case
The jury selection process is designed to weed out people who won’t be impartial. However, Clay S. Conrad, author of Jury Nullification: The Evolution of a Doctrine, says, “It would not surprise me at all if one or more people get onto the jury who support him.”
Even so, some legal experts doubt a jury would set a killer free in the face of compelling evidence. “Most of us hate insurance companies and have had difficult experiences dealing with insurance companies, but that doesn’t mean we think people should be going around murdering insurance executives in the street,” Gregory Germain, a Syracuse University College of Law professor, says.
Mangione, who’s pleaded not guilty to state murder and terrorism charges and next month is expected to enter a plea in a parallel federal murder case, could also, of course, be acquitted or convicted based strictly on the evidence. According to police, that includes a 3D-printed gun found in his backpack that matches shell casings discovered at the crime scene, plus fingerprints taken from a water bottle and protein bar wrapper discarded nearby.
No one really knows how a jury will ultimately react to a perceived “modern-day Robin Hood” like Mangione. “I have never seen a criminal defendant, much less an accused murderer, receive as much sympathy both on traditional media and social media,” former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani marvels. “He is a folk hero of sorts to many.”
Jury nullification is a legal concept that allows a jury to acquit a defendant even if they believe the defendant is guilty of the crime they are charged with. In the case of Luigi Mangione, the former UnitedHealthcare CEO who is accused of murdering his wife, jury nullification could be the key to setting him free.Despite the overwhelming evidence against Mangione, including DNA and eyewitness testimony, there are some who believe that he may have been justified in his actions. Some members of the jury may sympathize with Mangione’s alleged motive, such as infidelity or abuse, and may feel that his actions were understandable given the circumstances.
If the jury chooses to exercise their right to jury nullification, they could decide to acquit Mangione based on their own beliefs and sense of justice, rather than strictly following the letter of the law. This could result in Mangione walking free, despite the evidence against him.
While jury nullification is a controversial and often misunderstood concept, it has been used in the past to set defendants free in cases where the jury believed that the law was unjust or the punishment did not fit the crime. In the case of Luigi Mangione, jury nullification could be his only hope for freedom.
Tags:
Jury nullification, Luigi Mangione, UnitedHealthcare CEO murder case, legal defense strategy, criminal justice system, courtroom drama, legal precedent, acquittal potential
#Jury #Nullification #Set #Luigi #Mangione #Free #UnitedHealthcare #CEO #Murder #CaseAlabama’s highest court rules in favor of nursing moms being excused from jury duty
A big win for nursing mothers trying to be excused from jury duty in Alabama courtrooms.The Alabama Supreme Court issued an administrative order Jan. 17 regarding procedures in excusing prospective jurors from service.The Court stated in its order that a nursing mother of an infant child qualifies for an excuse from jury service in advance of the person’s summoned date to court.As WVTM 13 News first reported, some Jefferson County women who were breastfeeding their infant babies say they could not get excused from showing up for jury duty, despite filling out forms and calling the judge’s office.Previous story: Another Jefferson County breastfeeding mom speaks out about jury duty nightmareAlabama’s State Auditor Andrew Sorrell posted a comment on social media Saturday morning.“Thank you to the Alabama Supreme Court for acting so quickly to solve the problem for nursing mothers not being excused from jury duty!”The State Supreme Court ordered that all presiding circuit judges ensure appropriate procedures are in place for a prospective juror claiming an undue or extreme physical or financial hardship to be able to contact their courts before their summoned date without the need to appear in person to apply to be excused.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. —A big win for nursing mothers trying to be excused from jury duty in Alabama courtrooms.
The Alabama Supreme Court issued an administrative order Jan. 17 regarding procedures in excusing prospective jurors from service.
The Court stated in its order that a nursing mother of an infant child qualifies for an excuse from jury service in advance of the person’s summoned date to court.
As WVTM 13 News first reported, some Jefferson County women who were breastfeeding their infant babies say they could not get excused from showing up for jury duty, despite filling out forms and calling the judge’s office.
Previous story: Another Jefferson County breastfeeding mom speaks out about jury duty nightmare
Alabama’s State Auditor Andrew Sorrell posted a comment on social media Saturday morning.
“Thank you to the Alabama Supreme Court for acting so quickly to solve the problem for nursing mothers not being excused from jury duty!”
The State Supreme Court ordered that all presiding circuit judges ensure appropriate procedures are in place for a prospective juror claiming an undue or extreme physical or financial hardship to be able to contact their courts before their summoned date without the need to appear in person to apply to be excused.
In a landmark decision, Alabama’s highest court has ruled in favor of nursing mothers being excused from jury duty. This ruling comes as a victory for breastfeeding mothers who have long faced challenges balancing their civic duty with the needs of their infants.The court’s decision recognizes the unique needs of nursing mothers and the importance of supporting their ability to breastfeed their babies. By excusing nursing moms from jury duty, the court is ensuring that these women are able to prioritize their children’s health and well-being without facing the added stress of fulfilling jury duty obligations.
This ruling sets a precedent for other states to follow suit and create more inclusive policies that support the needs of breastfeeding mothers. It is a step towards creating a more accommodating and understanding society that values the importance of supporting mothers in their breastfeeding journey.
Overall, Alabama’s highest court’s decision is a win for nursing mothers and a step towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for breastfeeding women.
Tags:
Alabama Supreme Court, nursing mothers, jury duty, legal ruling, breastfeeding rights, court decision, maternal rights, jury duty exemption, Alabama law, parenting rights
#Alabamas #highest #court #rules #favor #nursing #moms #excused #jury #dutyAlabama Mom Says She Was Forced to Attend Jury Duty While Breastfeeding
An Alabama woman is claiming she was forced to attend jury duty while breastfeeding — and it has sparked outrage in her community.
Kandace Brown of Morris said she was summoned for jury duty in December, according to local news outlet CBS 42. The mom of four told the outlet that she reported to the assigned Jefferson County courthouse on Monday, Jan. 13, with her 3-month-old daughter, Parker.
Brown said she attempted to explain to court officials that she would need to postpone her service due to the fact that her daughter is exclusively breastfed, but she added that she was met with pushback.
In a Facebook post, Brown said, “It was a horrible experience.” Brown further explained that she attempted to formally postpone jury duty using the typical channels before her report date, but she said she was denied.
“I called and turned in the forms to be excused, and it was not granted,” she wrote in her post, while also sharing that her daughter does not take a bottle and pumping during jury duty was impossible.
In the post, Brown also noted that there were two other mothers at the courthouse at the time and that they were also told they would need to make accommodations for their children. She claimed that one of the judges threatened to get the Department of Human Services (DHR) involved should accommodations not be made.
While speaking to CBS, Brown said that a judge got on a microphone in the courthouse and said, “I can’t see the children, but I hear that kids are here today. You need to make accommodations for your child to come and be picked up. We would hate for DHR to be involved.”
“And so, we’re like, ‘Oh gosh, surely this can’t happen,’ ” she recalled.
Brown told the outlet that while she was ultimately dismissed for jury duty that day, a representative from the court told her she was not excused for the week — despite the fact that her childcare situation — and the needs of her infant — were unchanged.
“I’m not saying that every mom in the state of Alabama should be excused — at all,” she told the outlet. “I will serve when I [don’t] have a child that depends on me for life — for nourishment.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
In a statement to Alabama publication AL.com, Judge Shanta Owens — one of the judges reportedly present that day — called the situation with Brown and her infant a “misunderstanding.”
“The juror was indeed excused a short time after arriving for jury service, as was any other similarly situated individual called for jury service,” Owens’ statement read. “I, too, am a mother and have been a breastfeeding mother previously and therefore, would excuse jury service for a period of time for any individual under the circumstances.”
PEOPLE has reached out to Judge Owens, as well as several other judges at the Jefferson County circuit court, for comment but did not immediately hear back on Friday, Jan. 17.
Judge (stock image).
Getty
In her Facebook post, Brown noted that she has since done research on protections for nursing mothers called to jury duty in the state of Alabama and was “appalled” to find that there are none.
In a Jan. 14 follow-up Facebook post, Brown shared that state auditor and former legislator Andrew Sorrell has reached out to her about working to get bill HB369 — a bill designed to help nursing Alabama mothers receive exemption from jury duty — passed in the state legislature.
“We do need other mother’s experiences pertaining to this!” Brown wrote in her post, before calling on other Alabama moms to share similar experiences.
“Please message me here on FB and share your story, so we can have as many stories as possible to take to committee! I’ve seen many comments but many are being lost so please message me if you have had any experiences like this you can share,” she added.
In a recent viral post on social media, an Alabama mom shared her frustration at being forced to attend jury duty while still breastfeeding her newborn baby. The mom, who has chosen to remain anonymous, detailed how she was told by court officials that she would need to find someone to watch her baby while she fulfilled her civic duty.Despite explaining that she was the primary caregiver for her infant and that she needed to breastfeed regularly, the mom was told that she would not be excused from jury duty unless she could provide a doctor’s note stating that she was physically unable to attend.
The mom’s post has sparked outrage among many parents and advocates for breastfeeding rights, who argue that moms should not be forced to choose between fulfilling their civic duties and caring for their children. The mom has since filed a complaint with the court and is hoping to bring attention to the challenges faced by breastfeeding moms in similar situations.
This story serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting and accommodating breastfeeding mothers in all aspects of society, including the judicial system. It’s time for institutions to recognize and respect the needs of nursing mothers, and to make sure they are not unfairly burdened or discriminated against when it comes to fulfilling their obligations.
Tags:
Alabama, Mom, Mother, Jury Duty, Breastfeeding, Forced, Legal, Court, Law, Parenting, Motherhood, Discrimination, Rights, Family, Alabama Law, Breastfeeding Rights, Maternity Leave, Working Mothers
#Alabama #Mom #Forced #Attend #Jury #Duty #BreastfeedingMom reacts to Alabama Supreme Court order excusing nursing moms from jury duty
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Only days after a mom was threatened with DHR for bringing her infant to the Jefferson County Courthouse, the Alabama Supreme Court issued an administrative order declaring a nursing mother should be excused from jury duty.
“I had no choice,” said Kandace Brown. “She cannot eat without me and I couldn’t understand the entire time how they couldn’t understand that! She cannot leave my side.”
She spent around three hours at the courthouse with her 3-month-old explaining multiple times to judges and clerks why she couldn’t serve on jury duty without her baby.
“On the microphone in front of 300 people, one of the judges said, ‘All the mothers that have children here today need to make accommodations for your children to be picked up. We would hate for DHR to be involved.’”
Not only was she and other parents threatened with DHR, Brown said a courthouse clerk told her she could pump even though Parker is exclusively breastfed.
“I know the DHR threat has got a lot of people fired up, but for me, for someone to tell me how I should feed my child when the government doesn’t have a say in that, and I let you know a lot of mothers know the ins and outs of feeding a baby — it’s just not that simple,” she explained.
Because of public outcry, the Alabama Supreme Court issued an administrative order excusing nursing mothers of infants from jury duty only four days after the incident.
Brown said she was floored and couldn’t believe it happened so fast.
“I have never seen government respond so quickly to constituent concern as I did here,” added state auditor Andrew Sorrell.
Sorrell served as a state representative for several years. He introduced a bill addressing this exact concern back in 2021 and 2022. Both times, the bill died in committee.
He called the Supreme Court’s order a win.
“Do I think that the administrative rule is enough? Probably so because I think that the Supreme Court is unlikely to ever change this,” said Sorrell. “It would be extremely unpopular to change it and I think they were sincere when they did change it but getting something codified into law is much more permanent.”
While talks are still happening, Sorrell, Brown, and Rep. Susan Dubose say they expect some kind of bill to be introduced during the upcoming legislative session.
Brown is hoping to include the primary caretakers of children under five years old since it’s difficult to get childcare. Sorrell mentioned including caregivers of those with disabilities as well.
The legislative session begins Feb. 4.
Get news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here.
Copyright 2025 WBRC. All rights reserved.
“Mom’s Rights: Alabama Supreme Court Orders Excused Jury Duty for Nursing Moms”In a groundbreaking decision, the Alabama Supreme Court recently ruled that nursing mothers are excused from jury duty. This ruling comes as a victory for mothers who have struggled to balance their civic duty with the demands of breastfeeding.
Upon hearing the news, one mother shared her reaction to the court’s decision. “I am thrilled that the Alabama Supreme Court has recognized the importance of supporting nursing mothers in their ability to care for their babies,” she stated. “As a mother myself, I understand the challenges of breastfeeding and the need for flexibility in fulfilling our responsibilities.”
She continued, “This decision not only validates the experiences of nursing moms, but also sets a precedent for other states to follow suit. It is a step in the right direction towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for mothers in the workforce and beyond.”
Overall, the ruling has been met with widespread praise from mothers and advocates alike. It serves as a reminder that mothers’ rights and needs should be prioritized and accommodated, especially when it comes to fulfilling their civic duties.
Tags:
- Alabama Supreme Court
- Jury duty exemption
- Nursing moms
- Mom reactions
- Alabama legal news
- Jury duty rules
- Breastfeeding mothers
- Supreme Court order
- Alabama court decision
- Jury duty exemption for nursing moms
#Mom #reacts #Alabama #Supreme #Court #order #excusing #nursing #moms #jury #duty
Another Jefferson County breastfeeding mom speaks out about jury duty nightmare
2025? WELL, AFTER A STORY THAT WE FIRST BROUGHT TO YOU ON TUESDAY, MORE MOMS ARE SPEAKING OUT SAYING THAT THEY FELT THREATENED AND HUMILIATED WHEN THEY WERE ASKED TO BE RELEASED FROM JURY DUTY BECAUSE THEY WERE EXCLUSIVELY BREASTFEED THEIR BABIES. WVTM 13 S LISA CRANE LIVE AND LOCAL IN DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM. YOU SPOKE TO ANOTHER MOM TODAY WHO SAYS SHE WAS THREATENED WITH ARREST. YEAH, THAT’S RIGHT. RANDI SANFORD WAS CALLED TO THE JEFFERSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE HERE JUST OVER A YEAR AGO FOR JURY DUTY. AND AT THAT TIME, HER SON WAS FIVE MONTHS OLD AND WAS BREASTFEEDING. NOW, SHE TRIED TO GET EXCUSED BY FILLING OUT FORMS ONLINE AND CALLING THE JUDGE’S OFFICE, BUT THEY TOLD HER SHE HAD TO COME IN. DO YOU WANT TO SHOW HIM YOUR GOOD NIGHT? ABC’S BOOK. NOW, RANDI SANFORD’S SON, BRODY, IS 18 MONTHS OLD. BUT IN DECEMBER OF 2023, SHE SAYS SHE WAS PUBLICLY HUMILIATED AND THREATENED IN FRONT OF A ROOM FULL OF POTENTIAL JURORS. AFTER ASKING JUDGE ELIZABETH FRENCH TO BE EXCUSED FROM JURY DUTY BECAUSE SHE COULDN’T BE SEPARATED FROM BABY BRODY FOR MORE THAN A FEW HOURS AT A TIME. WE WERE STANDING IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY AND SHE TURNED AROUND AND SAID THAT BEING A MOTHER AND HAVING A CHILD IS NO EXCUSE TO NOT DO JURY DUTY, THAT WE NEEDED TO FIND PROPER ACCOMMODATIONS FOR OUR CHILDREN AND RETURN THE NEXT DAY, OR WE WOULD BE HAVE WARRANTS PUT OUT FOR OUR ARREST, AND POLICE WOULD SHOW UP AT OUR DOOR TO ARREST US. SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR HAPPENED TO CANDICE BROWN LAST WEEK WHEN SHE WAS CALLED FOR JURY DUTY, AND SHE ARRIVED AT THE COURTHOUSE WITH HER THREE MONTH OLD DAUGHTER, WHOM SHE WAS ALSO EXCLUSIVELY BREASTFEEDING. SHE SAYS JUDGE SHANTA OWENS THREATENED TO CALL DR. IF SHE RETURNED WITH HER BABY. THEN I’M SWEATING. I’M A NERVOUS WRECK. I’M LIKE, OH MY GOSH, THERE’S NO WAY THAT THEY WOULD. SURELY THIS IS AN IDLE THREAT. SURELY THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. BUT STILL NERVOUS WRECK BROWN’S STORY INSPIRED SANFORD TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE, SOMETHING SHE WAS TOO NERVOUS TO DO WHEN IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO HER. THIS IS A JUDGE, YOU KNOW. THAT’S SOMETHING THAT I, AT THE TIME, DIDN’T FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE SPEAKING OUT AGAINST. BUT THE FACT THAT IT’S CONTINUING TO HAPPEN AND NOW WOMEN LIKE CANDACE ARE BEING THREATENED WITH D.H.R. LIKE, THAT’S THAT’S SCARY. THEIR STORIES GOT THE ATTENTION OF ALABAMA STATE REPRESENTATIVE SUSAN DUBOSE. SHE SAYS IF JUDGES CAN’T USE COMMON SENSE, THEN THERE SHOULD BE A LAW TO MAKE BREASTFEEDING MOMS EXEMPT FROM JURY DUTY. I THINK WE NEED TO EXPRESSLY DICTATE BREASTFEEDING AND HONESTLY JUST TAKE THE DECISION MAKING. THE SUBJECTIVENESS AWAY FROM THE JUDGE. I MEAN THIS A WOMAN SHOULDN’T HAVE TO BE WAITING ON A SUBJECTIVE, SYMPATHETIC JUDGE TO RELEASE HER FROM JURY DUTY IF SHE’S BREASTFEEDING. NOW, STATE REPRESENTATIVE DUBOSE EXPECTS THE BILL SHE PLANS TO DRAFT WILL HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND WILL PASS QUICKLY. WE REACHED OUT TO THE JUDGES INVOLVED IN THESE CASES AGAIN TODAY. NO RESPONSE TODAY, BUT ON WEDNESDAY, JUDGE OWENS RELEASED A STATEMENT CALLING THE INCIDENT WITH BROWN A MISUNDERSTANDING, SAYING SHE IS ALSO A MOTHER AND WAS A BREASTFEEDING MOTHER AND WOULD EXCUSE JURY SERVICE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL UNDER THE CIRCUM
Another Jefferson County breastfeeding mom speaks out about jury duty nightmare
Updated: 7:46 PM CST Jan 17, 2025
After a story we first brought you on Tuesday, more moms are speaking out, saying they felt threatened and humiliated when they asked to be released from jury duty because they were exclusively breastfeeding their babies.Randi Sanford was called to the Jefferson County Courthouse just over a year ago for jury duty. At that time, her son was five months old, and she was breastfeeding. She tried to get excused by filling out forms online and calling the judge’s office, but they told her she had to come in. Now Sanford’s son Brodie is 18 months old. She said in December 2023, she was threatened in front of a room full of potential jurors after asking Judge Elisabeth French to be excused from jury duty because she couldn’t be separated from her breastfed son for more than a few hours at a time.She said, “We were standing in front of everybody, and she turned around and said that being a mother and having a child is no excuse to not do jury duty, that we needed to find proper accommodations for our children and return the next day, or we would be, have warrants put out for our arrest and police would show up at our door to arrest us.”Something very similar happened to Kandace Brown last week when she was called for jury duty, and she arrived at the courthouse with her 3-month-old daughter. She said Judge Shanta Owens threatened to call DHR if she returned with her breastfed baby. Brown said, “Then I’m sweating. I’m a nervous wreck. I’m like, oh my gosh, there’s no way that they would, surely this is an idle threat. Surely this is not going to happen, but still a nervous wreck.”Brown’s story inspired Sanford to speak out about her experience. That’s something she was too nervous to do when it actually happened to her. Sanford added, “This is a judge, you know; that’s something that I, at the time, didn’t feel very comfortable speaking out against. But the fact that it’s continuing to happen, and now women like Kandace are being threatened with DHR, like, that’s scary.”Their stories got the attention of Alabama State Rep. Susan DuBose. She said if judges can’t use common sense, then there should be a law to make breastfeeding moms exempt from jury duty. She added, “I think we need to expressly dictate breastfeeding and honestly just take the decision-making the subjectiveness away from the judge. I mean, a woman shouldn’t have to be waiting on a subjective, sympathetic judge to release her from jury duty if she’s breastfeeding.” DuBose expects the bill she’ll draft to get bipartisan support and pass quickly.We reached out to the judges involved in these cases. On Wednesday, Judge Owens released a statement calling the incident with Brown a misunderstanding, saying she is also a mother and was a breastfeeding mother and would excuse jury service for a period of time for any individual under the circumstances.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —After a story we first brought you on Tuesday, more moms are speaking out, saying they felt threatened and humiliated when they asked to be released from jury duty because they were exclusively breastfeeding their babies.
Randi Sanford was called to the Jefferson County Courthouse just over a year ago for jury duty. At that time, her son was five months old, and she was breastfeeding. She tried to get excused by filling out forms online and calling the judge’s office, but they told her she had to come in.
Now Sanford’s son Brodie is 18 months old. She said in December 2023, she was threatened in front of a room full of potential jurors after asking Judge Elisabeth French to be excused from jury duty because she couldn’t be separated from her breastfed son for more than a few hours at a time.
She said, “We were standing in front of everybody, and she turned around and said that being a mother and having a child is no excuse to not do jury duty, that we needed to find proper accommodations for our children and return the next day, or we would be, have warrants put out for our arrest and police would show up at our door to arrest us.”
Something very similar happened to Kandace Brown last week when she was called for jury duty, and she arrived at the courthouse with her 3-month-old daughter. She said Judge Shanta Owens threatened to call DHR if she returned with her breastfed baby. Brown said, “Then I’m sweating. I’m a nervous wreck. I’m like, oh my gosh, there’s no way that they would, surely this is an idle threat. Surely this is not going to happen, but still a nervous wreck.”
Brown’s story inspired Sanford to speak out about her experience. That’s something she was too nervous to do when it actually happened to her. Sanford added, “This is a judge, you know; that’s something that I, at the time, didn’t feel very comfortable speaking out against. But the fact that it’s continuing to happen, and now women like Kandace are being threatened with DHR, like, that’s scary.”
Their stories got the attention of Alabama State Rep. Susan DuBose. She said if judges can’t use common sense, then there should be a law to make breastfeeding moms exempt from jury duty. She added, “I think we need to expressly dictate breastfeeding and honestly just take the decision-making the subjectiveness away from the judge. I mean, a woman shouldn’t have to be waiting on a subjective, sympathetic judge to release her from jury duty if she’s breastfeeding.” DuBose expects the bill she’ll draft to get bipartisan support and pass quickly.
We reached out to the judges involved in these cases. On Wednesday, Judge Owens released a statement calling the incident with Brown a misunderstanding, saying she is also a mother and was a breastfeeding mother and would excuse jury service for a period of time for any individual under the circumstances.
As a breastfeeding mother in Jefferson County, I never imagined that fulfilling my civic duty by serving on a jury would turn into a nightmare. However, that’s exactly what happened to me recently.When I received my jury duty notice, I immediately contacted the court to explain that I was currently breastfeeding my child and needed accommodations to continue doing so. I was assured that there would be a designated private room for me to pump during breaks and that I would be allowed to bring my breast pump and cooler with me to the courthouse.
However, when I arrived for jury duty, I was shocked to find that there was no private room for me to pump. I was told that I would have to use a bathroom stall, which was not only unsanitary but also incredibly uncomfortable and inconvenient. I tried to explain the situation to the court staff, but they were unsympathetic and insisted that I use the bathroom.
I was left with no choice but to pump in a dirty bathroom stall multiple times throughout the day, all while feeling humiliated and frustrated. I couldn’t believe that in this day and age, the court system was so ill-equipped to accommodate breastfeeding mothers.
I want to speak out about my experience to raise awareness about the challenges that breastfeeding mothers face when serving on jury duty. No mother should have to choose between fulfilling her civic duty and providing for her child’s basic needs. It’s time for the court system to make accommodations for breastfeeding mothers a priority and ensure that they are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Tags:
Jefferson County, breastfeeding mom, jury duty, nightmare, motherhood, breastfeeding in public, discrimination, legal rights, jury duty exemption, breastfeeding support, maternal rights, breastfeeding advocacy.
#Jefferson #County #breastfeeding #mom #speaks #jury #duty #nightmareAlabama supreme court grants breastfeeding women exemption from jury duty after public outcry
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Breastfeeding women in Alabama will be excused from jury duty, the state’s highest court ordered unanimously on Friday, in response to public outcry from a mother who said that she was threatened with child protective services for bringing her nursing infant into court.
The Alabama Supreme Court issued an administrative order that requires Alabama judges to have written procedures excusing breastfeeding mothers from jury duty. Previously, state code did not specifically make exemptions for nursing mothers.
“A nursing mother of an infant child clearly qualifies for the excuse from jury service” under the existing court codes, the order read. The justices added that the process of approving exemption “may be submitted by telephone, electronic mail, or in writing” ahead of jury selection. All nine justices concurred with the order.
Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox
See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories.
Twenty-two states in the U.S. have bills that make specific exemptions for nursing mothers, according to a 2021 report by the National Conference of State Legislators. A similar bill was introduced in the Alabama legislature in 2022, but it was killed before it reached a vote.
The order was explicitly in response to statements from several mothers in Jefferson County, which includes Birmingham, who said that they were harassed and threatened by judges for bringing their breastfeeding babies in for jury duty.
Kandace Brown complained on Facebook that a Jefferson County circuit court judge threatened to call the Department of Human Resources — which includes child protective services — unless Brown arranged for someone else to pick up her 3-month-old from the courthouse. Brown said two other mothers who brought their children were told the same.
Brown also said that she submitted forms to get excused from jury duty before she was summoned to court, but was denied.
“If I’m still breastfeeding, I’m going to have to (bring the baby). I don’t have a choice. Like she would literally starve for the day or the week if I was chosen,” Brown wrote in the post.
Brown wrote that when she was finally dismissed, she was told that she would be summoned again the next day and that she would have to leave her infant at home.
“No ma’am I cannot pump and get her to take a bottle. How can you tell me how to feed my child?!” Brown wrote.
Several mothers came forward with similar stories after Brown published her story, which had more than 1,000 likes on Facebook on Saturday.
Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Shanta Owens later called the encounter a “miscommunication” to AL.com on Wednesday, adding, “The juror was indeed excused a short time after arriving for jury service, as was any other similarly situated individual called for jury service.”
Owens added that as a former nursing mother herself, she “would excuse jury service for a period of time for any individual under the circumstances.”
Alabama circuit judges have 30 days to submit the new written procedures.
The Alabama Supreme Court has granted breastfeeding women an exemption from jury duty after a public outcry over the issue. The decision comes after a mother, who was breastfeeding her newborn child, was denied a request to be excused from jury duty.The court’s ruling acknowledges the importance of breastfeeding and the challenges that nursing mothers face in fulfilling their civic duty. It also recognizes the need to accommodate and support women who are breastfeeding.
This decision is a victory for mothers across Alabama who have been advocating for their rights to breastfeed their children without being penalized for fulfilling their civic responsibilities.
The court’s decision sets a positive precedent for other states to follow suit and provide similar exemptions for breastfeeding women. It is a step towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for nursing mothers in the legal system.
Overall, this ruling is a win for breastfeeding women and a reminder that their needs and rights deserve to be respected and accommodated in all aspects of society.
Tags:
Alabama Supreme Court, breastfeeding women, jury duty exemption, public outcry, Alabama news, breastfeeding rights, legal news, mothers’ rights, jury duty exemption for breastfeeding women
#Alabama #supreme #court #grants #breastfeeding #women #exemption #jury #duty #public #outcryAlabama Supreme Court: Nursing mothers exempt from jury duty after outcry over Jefferson County controversy
Alabama judges will be required to have written procedures in place to excuse nursing mothers from jury service under an order issued days after a Jefferson County mother said she was threatened by a judge when she reported for jury duty with her breastfed child.
The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday issued the unanimous administrative order stating “that a nursing mother of an infant child clearly qualifies for the excuse from jury service” under state judicial code.
That code states “a person…may apply to be excused from jury service by the court only upon a showing of undue or extreme physical…hardship.”
The definition of “hardship” includes “circumstances in which an individual would… be required to abandon a person under his or her care or supervision due to the impossibility of obtaining an appropriate caregiver during the period of participation in the jury pool or on the jury.”
The order states that it was created after the court was “made aware of situations in Jefferson County,” referring to several Alabama mothers who claim they were harassed and threatened by Jefferson County judges for bringing breastfeeding babies with them for jury duty.
Kandace Brown, who says she was threatened with DHR for bringing her three-month-old daughter with her to jury duty, told AL.com that she called and turned in forms to be excused prior to reporting to the courthouse but was refused.
This occurrence should be prevented under the new order.
“All presiding circuit judges of this State shall ensure that appropriate procedures are in place for a prospective juror claiming an undue or extreme physical or financial hardship to be able to contact their courts and receive prompt responses from their courts before the prospective juror’s summoned date and without the necessity of appearing in person to apply to be excused from jury service,” it reads.
Within 30 days of the order, all presiding circuit judges in Alabama are required to provide a written report to the Administrative Director of Courts “addressing their respective procedures for complying with this order,” the document states.
Brown says she is “overwhelmingly thankful to God for His people” for the change.
“I never imagined a single Facebook post would lead to a change in law just four days later.”
Brown initially posted about her experience on Jan. 13.
The story gained national attention, and other local mothers came forward with their own stories about similar issues in Jefferson County court.
In a post this morning, Brown also thanked Alabama Reps. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover and April Weaver, R-Brierfield, who started working this week on legislation that would exempt nursing mothers from jury duty for up to two years.
She also thanked State Auditor Andrew Sorrell, who sponsored legislation that would have established this law two years ago.
“I just pray judges and court officials will no longer intimidate or berate mothers that have no childcare and no other choice who bring their children to jury duty,” Brown wrote.
“Breastfeeding moms are protected now. I pray the other moms are protected too … I pray the hearts of the judges are softened and they can discern better for mothers that are just trying to care for their children.”
Brown has claimed Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Shanta Owens threatened to call DHR on her. She added that Circuit Court Judges Elisabeth French and Marshell Jackson Hatcher also addressed the group.
Judges French and Hatcher have not commented on the situation.
Owens, in a statement to AL.com on Wednesday, said Brown was excused and called the situation a “misunderstanding.”
“The juror was indeed excused a short time after arriving for jury service, as was any other similarly situated individual called for jury service,” Owens’ statement read. “I, too, am a mother and have been a breastfeeding mother previously and therefore, would excuse jury service for a period of time for any individual under the circumstances.”
Owens added that under state law “there are well-established mechanisms in place to excuse individuals from jury duty prior to service.”
“I take these procedures seriously to ensure that the jury selection process runs lawfully, smoothly, and efficiently. If any additional laws are enacted regarding jury service or any other matter, I would be delighted to follow those laws as well,” Owens wrote.
In a recent ruling, the Alabama Supreme Court has decided that nursing mothers are exempt from jury duty after a controversy arose in Jefferson County. The decision comes after a local mother, who was breastfeeding her child, was denied a deferral from jury duty.The mother, who was unable to find suitable childcare for her infant, brought attention to the issue by speaking out about the challenges faced by nursing mothers when called for jury duty. The case sparked a public outcry, with many people voicing their support for the mother and calling for changes to be made to accommodate nursing mothers in the jury selection process.
In response to the controversy, the Alabama Supreme Court has now ruled that nursing mothers are exempt from jury duty. This decision is a significant victory for nursing mothers in the state, as it recognizes the unique challenges they face and provides them with the necessary accommodations to fulfill their civic duty while also caring for their children.
The ruling is a step in the right direction towards ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their circumstances, have equal access to the justice system. It is a win for nursing mothers in Alabama and sets a precedent for other states to follow suit in providing accommodations for breastfeeding mothers in the jury selection process.
Tags:
- Alabama Supreme Court
- Nursing mothers
- Exemption from jury duty
- Jefferson County controversy
- Alabama laws
- Breastfeeding mothers
- Legal rights
- Jury duty exemption
- Maternity rights
- Alabama Supreme Court ruling
#Alabama #Supreme #Court #Nursing #mothers #exempt #jury #duty #outcry #Jefferson #County #controversy
