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darkemeraldsWow. That was...really dull.
Almost exactly a year ago, someone climbed in through my kitchen window during the workday and stole some stuff. The police came, got a good solid handprint off the kitchen windowsill, and eventually made an arrest.
Today was the grand jury, where I was subpoenaed to testify that I'm the victim of a crime and that there's something to prosecute.
Let me tell you, it is NOTHING like on TV. I entered a dowdy little 8th-floor room with plastic chairs and sad carpet. The arresting officer introduced himself, and in the chit-chat that ensued, he told me a surprising amount about the guy he arrested. Drugs weren't an issue in this case, he said; just plain poverty and young men's desire for stuff and the money to buy it.
Of dozens of this guy's victims, I was the only one testifying because my house was the only one where a clear print was lifted, making mine the only charge the guy pleaded guilty to.
I swore to God (it wasn't worth the trouble to make the atheist argument) and answered three or four questions about the burglary--did I know the guy and had I ever let him into my house? (no, and no.) How did I know I'd been robbed? (Interesting question, when you think about it.) What was taken? (Computer, camera, cash, jewelry.) Did I call the police? (Yes.)
And that was it. Thank you very much. We'll subpoena you again when the trial begins.
So that's that. And I have tomorrow off! Yay!
Almost exactly a year ago, someone climbed in through my kitchen window during the workday and stole some stuff. The police came, got a good solid handprint off the kitchen windowsill, and eventually made an arrest.
Today was the grand jury, where I was subpoenaed to testify that I'm the victim of a crime and that there's something to prosecute.
Let me tell you, it is NOTHING like on TV. I entered a dowdy little 8th-floor room with plastic chairs and sad carpet. The arresting officer introduced himself, and in the chit-chat that ensued, he told me a surprising amount about the guy he arrested. Drugs weren't an issue in this case, he said; just plain poverty and young men's desire for stuff and the money to buy it.
Of dozens of this guy's victims, I was the only one testifying because my house was the only one where a clear print was lifted, making mine the only charge the guy pleaded guilty to.
I swore to God (it wasn't worth the trouble to make the atheist argument) and answered three or four questions about the burglary--did I know the guy and had I ever let him into my house? (no, and no.) How did I know I'd been robbed? (Interesting question, when you think about it.) What was taken? (Computer, camera, cash, jewelry.) Did I call the police? (Yes.)
And that was it. Thank you very much. We'll subpoena you again when the trial begins.
So that's that. And I have tomorrow off! Yay!
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