On Monday evening, December 19, a support team gathered with jurors of the trial that ended with the tragic shooting in the Cook County Courthouse. In light of the difficult circumstances in which those jurors ended their service, Judge Munger decided to give jurors an order exempting them from future jury service.
We recognize the importance of jury service in the process of administering justice. We recognize the importance of jury service, but we felt that this group of jurors deserved this special exemption in light of the circumstances.
Just before the end of our meeting, and before I told those who served so faithfully of the order, one juror spoke to all about how the courthouse events would not ever stop her from future jury service. She spoke of the importance of persons serving, especially in light of this tragedy.
When I told jurors of the order we had for each of them, they rejected the notion of being exempted from future service. Many refused to take their order. Some kept them as mementos, but indicated they would never use them.
I commend this group for their service. I hope to honor them in the future when speaking of the importance of jury service by telling the story of this gathering.
On Dec. 20, I sent an e-mail to all judges in the state, advising them of the Cook County courthouse reopening and resumption of our normal court session at 11:00 a.m. I received responses from judges across the state pouring out their support. Many of the judges dedicated their court sessions on that day in honor of the Cook County community and those touched by these events.
I am proud of how our court staff calmly reacted under chaotic conditions in their efforts to keep jurors safe. We will continue to become wiser as we learn from our experience.
Michael J. Cuzzo
District Court Judge
Sixth Judicial District
Leave a Reply