Houston may have some problems filling a jury pool, but I didn't think that they were this desperate. Harris County has served a jury summons to Nathan Dale Campbell, who may be less than an ideal candidate for most courts:

Nathan Dale Campbell was first summoned to report for Harris County jury service Monday, but the date was then rescheduled to Aug. 30, said a staffer in the district clerk's office.

Campbell, 30, was acquitted in 1997 after a jury found he was legally insane when he attacked girlfriend Kristen West the previous year, blinding her in one eye and permanently damaging her sight in the other. Campbell received treatment as an inpatient at the Kerrville State Hospital.

The attack followed West's refusal of Campbell's marriage proposal. He said he thought her eyes were demons. ... [L]awyers say it's doubtful he'll be picked for a panel.

Houston residents will be pleased to note that Campbell is now out of the state hospital and living in the community, although they refuse to say which one. His legal status allows him to serve on a jury, and while it might be a long shot, stranger things have happened. I was around for two trials in LA where a jury couldn't convict even though the crime was videotaped, and a second one where the perp's blood was all over the place and still got acquitted. I'd venture to say that both trials had their share of, er, non-linear thinkers on the juries.

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry is