[garinda]

I've been chairman of a jury on a criminal trial.

Grevious Bodily Harm in this case, not murder.

After listening to two week's worth of evidence, I did have more than 'reasonable doubt' in my mind as to the person's guilt.

I had to stand there, and deliver a verdict carried by a majority of eleven to twelve, that the person was guilty. I thought they were innocent.

Many of my fellow jurors openly admitted to not 'liking' the accused, and whilst deliberating many expressed prejudice against the person on trial, for reasons totally unconnected to the case.

The whole thing was an eye-opener, and made me sick to my stomach to have to stand there and deliver a verdict I know in my heart was wrong.

I could not, would not have, if it had been a murder trial, and we still had capital punishment.