Jury duty in Knox County...oh, how fun!

Much to my chagrin, I was placed on noticed earlier in the year that I would be required to serve on criminal court jury duty in the spring. I was hoping to get on the grand jury, as I actually wanted to see how that process worked in Tennessee. Of course, I did not get to do that, and was forced to choose a two week stint in which I would be able to serve on a court jury. Yesterday, I came within a hair of being on a sequestered jury for a first degree murder trial. I suppose I have no difficulties with that potentiality, but it was rather unsettling to be in the jury box looking at the defendant, who was sitting there looking at the jury of his peers. Needless to say, I have realized that lawyers on both sides do not want educated people on the jury, as they seem to be able to use their reason and critical thinking skills to determine which side made the better case, rather than just have a knee-jerk reaction to the whole affair. If I ever (God forbid) have to go before a jury of my peers, I shudder to think of some of the yahoos that might be determining my fate. I still have another week of this, so I will keep you updated - not that anyone reads this bleeding thing anyways...