Mistrial of the Century: A Private Diary of the Jury System on Trial

For years I have avoided picking up any book related to the OJ Simpson criminal trial. However, this book is only marginally about the Simpson case and centers almost entirely on the experience of being a sequestered juror. The book provides a fascinating look inside the criminal justice system, from a unique perspective. We hear plenty about the criminals, but not so much is ever known about the non-criminals who find themselves caught up in the system as jurors, especially in high-profile cases. In my opinion, this book should be required reading for anyone involved in the planning of a jury trial that is expected to involve a sequestered jury. I was saddened to learn that the author recently committed suicide, after he shot and killed his wife. Very sad.

This book was not what I expected. This book is not about the O.J. Simpson Trial. These book goes into the way jurors are treated in our Judicical system, how jurrors are guarded and have the same rights as a person in jail. This book should be mandatory reading for all judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys who will have to select a jury that will be sequestered.

This book is not necessarily about the O.J. Simpson trial. It is about how the Justice System treats the people that are assigned to be on a jury. I think this book should be mandatory reading for every trial attorney and trial judge. I realize that this trial had more press converage than any other trial, but I would think twice about being on a jury and subjecting my family to that kind of torture.

It seems as if the judicial system has ground to a stop. The jurors in this book were the last to be given any respect. The treatment was inhumane ..and for Judge Ito to not provide some type of psychological input was gross neglect. No wonder we are not getting a jury of our peers, if this is any indication of how jurors are being treated. I don't know if the Simpson Trial was an aboration or if what Mr. Kennedy went through is just the tip of the iceberg. The entire episode of investigating the jurors even after they were seated is preposterous! One could put this book down and say to himself, "I'll never serve on a jury" or "I want to make a difference and serve". I think that is what Mr. Kennedy would have wanted. Good book.

This shows that our system is in great need of improvement. Great reading if you want to know what happens to jurors behind the scenes. Shows how people trying to do their civic duty are treated.