I'd be a bad defendant. The guy in the above pic had an hour or so to kill some time while the jury deliberated his fate. The only question at this stage was whether he was guilty or not. But due to his history, a guilty verdict meant a minimum of 12 1/2 real years -- and it will probably be worse.
But he was so calm. He talked to the sheriffs deputy about the military, politics, and technology. And he did so pretty intelligently for a guy who was locked up between 1993 and 2007.
I'd be scared to death regardless of my guilt or innocence.
Developing . . .
Edit: No verdict as of 1:30
Edit: No verdict at of 2:40
Edit: Quick background (which might be wrong). This case is a little weird because the defendant is indicted as a habitual offender. That means he went to the pen (for theft), got out, and went back to the pen (for robbery). If he is convicted of the new offense of sexual assault, the jury will have to choose between 25 years and life. That is, he'll have to receive a minimum of 25 which means 12 1/2 real years before becoming eligible for parole. The incident he is on trial for involves an alleged drunken evening with a 16 year old where some sexual activity took place. I think the defendant is in his early thirties. (This crime used to be called statutory rape. Now it's called sexual assault)
Edit @ 3:07: Guilt verdict. Punishment phase begins after a jury break. Defendant sitting with head on the table.
Edit @ 5:10: A crying defendant, as well as his sister, testified in the punishment phase. Looks like the defendant has three felony convictions in his past --- we learned of a Burglary of a Motor Vehicle (which was a felony when he committed it but now is a misdemeanor.) Jury argument tomorrow morning --- the judge is giving each side about five minutes -- they better talk fast.
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