The case involved the death of a two-and-a-half-year-old boy who was under the care of his mother's boyfriend. According to the pathologist, the boy had sustained several serious injuries, including cracked vertebrae, broken bones, and blunt force trauma to the abdomen. These injuries were sustained in the weeks leading up the boy's death.
I know this because I had to sit through an extensive autopsy report with graphic images of the crime scene, and how it was determined throughout the investigative process, specifically the autopsy process.
The trial hit home for me as at the time of the trial I had a two-and-a-half-year-old boy at home. The thought that somebody could do this to a precious child obviously still disturbs me.
The accused was convicted, and to this day I can still hear the cries of the courtroom, the victim's grandfather in tears, reaching over the pews crying, “Thank you, thank you.” The courtroom security abruptly ushered us, the jurors, away from the courtroom, and snuck us out the back tunnel of the courthouse. This was done for our own safety as a riot had broken out in front of the courthouse between family members of the convicted and the victim. I found out about this after I got home and saw it on the news.
Returning to work was difficult. My employer was not very sympathetic to me being away for six weeks, even though I went to work before and after the trial as well as on weekends to try to keep up. It was budget time and everything was due immediately. The culture of this employer was that financial deadlines and commitments were paramount over any other work that had to be done.
My first day back was a fog. It was very strange to me that one day I was sequestered away from my normal life and family, deciding the fate of an individual, attempting to attain justice, and the next day I was in a boardroom meeting about a new computer software program that my employer was implementing.
Within days of the trial, I knew I needed support from a mental health professional. I sought out an EAP program counsellor. She was tremendous. I was fortunate that my employer offered such a program. The follow-up from the trial ultimately led me to leave my employer. The treatment I received—the lack of understanding from my superiors, peers, and upper management—made me feel that I had done something wrong, like I was on vacation or not living up to my job requirements.
I was lucky to have the support of an EAP program and a great counsellor. In time, I came to the realization that I needed to move on from this employer. Personally, the counselling led me down some paths of my own life that I would not have explored without it. These were positive changes and awakenings to my own behaviour.
To this day, I worry all the time that something will happen to my kids, that someone in their life will hurt them the way the victim was hurt. I am super vigilant and accused of being way too overprotective, but knowing what I know, I cannot be too careful with who looks after my kids.
I would do my civic duty again. I believe the justice system in Canada is truly one of the best in the world. I witnessed first-hand the rights of the accused, the judge's constant assurance that the accused should receive a fair and unbiased trial.
Even the best judicial system system in the world can be improved upon. Making post-trial support available for all jurors who need it would close the loop in the jury trial system. Having an extended period of time after the trial to normalize before returning to work would greatly help as well. Creating a robust education package for employers and potentially co-workers of jurors might help as well. Having separate parking areas, break areas, away from the lawyers, families and participants in the trial would also help.
I would like to re-emphasize and encourage you to make post-trial support standard nationwide, to provide help to those who need it, to those who are the backbone of the jury system. It would certainly make it much easier for them to cope with the outcomes, facts, and images they endure to perform their civic duty.
Thank you for your time.
I am honoured to have participated in this process, and I apologize for the emotions.