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Highlands Today

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Hardee Citizens Are Stepping UpTo Be Jurors

By None Selected

Published: September 7, 2007

Judge Michael Hunter has a big job presiding over the Michael Branham murder trial. The high-profile case being held in Hardee County has required loads of jurors to be questioned before the trial gets going. From all accounts, Hunter and the attorneys on both sides have done a good job making sure a fair trial is held.

Dozens of jurors have been cut from consideration of the trial charging Branham with the murder of his wife, Janette. He shot her 13 times and claims he was threatened by her. Many other jurors also will be eliminated from consideration will not make it. That's a big relief to some who do not want to be jurors.

The good news is that there seems to be plenty of people wanting to be good citizens and do their civic duty. It's been impressive how seriously potential jurors are taking the proceedings and honestly answering difficult and even personal questions. It's times like these when a person witnessing the procedures feels much better about our justice system.

The defense attorney is pushing for a sequestered jury, which often means they are not allowed to return home during the trial's duration. The idea, of course, is to protect them from outside information about the case that might sway their opinion. Being on a sequestered jury is very difficult, but sometimes necessary.

We hear the horror stories of innocent people being convicted, but the truth is, it is rare when an innocent person is found guilty by a jury. The majority of jurors take their jobs seriously. They understand that they must follow the law and guidelines set before them to establish guilt or innocence. It's not as cut and dried as the public thinks.

No matter what anyone thinks about the guilt or innocence of Michael Branham, he deserves a fair trial. It appears that great pains are being taken to make sure that happens.

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