Anarchy exists when those who sit on juries disregard our precious laws

In a recent Speakout column ("Passing on wellhidden information"), Laura
Kriho says she believes the general population is ignorant of jury
nullification. Oh really? The world watched in astonishment when a jury
acquitted O.J. Simpson with evidence that was overwhelmingly for
conviction. Johnnie Cochran reminded the jury of all the past injustices
perpetrated on blacks and insinuated that evidence be damned.

Kriho says that "to serve on a jury is a great responsibility." It is too
bad she didn't take that to heart when she took her oath. Or did she have
her fingers crossed? Here is the oath: "Do you solemnly swear (or affirm)
that you will try the case now before the court and arrive at a verdict
according to the evidence and the law as contained in the instructions of
the court (so Help you God)?" Kriho was either deceptive or ignorant when
she took that oath.

Just as judges receive laws from the state and federal government and swear
they will uphold them, so also are "mini" judges (a jury) expected to
uphold these laws. Ethical people would excuse themselves from a case when
their selfinterest was opposed to the law.

Law is our sanctuary and its beauty is its standards. Anarchy exists when
people on juries disregard our precious laws. Before civil rights
legislation, some white juries in the South had this same lawless attitude
resulting in acquittal of the white murderers of poor blacks.

Would any of us want to be judge by people who lie under oath? I think not.
Barring great changes in our democracy, I will choose to vote, lobby
legislators and join advocacy groups to pass laws I believe in. Kriho has
the freedom to do the same.

Ruth M. Klein
Boulder