Criminal Jury Trial.....day three (imported from Myspace)

We've been in jury trials this week and boy, it's been an adventure. To spare you the details, I will suffice it by saying that we are representing an innocent man against a very dirty sex charge. Pitiful situation, but we believe wholeheartedly that this is a comedy of errors and that he is COMPLETELY innocent. Been a terrible year and a half for him and his family, as you can imagine. I've only been through one full jury trial with Pat before, an assault charge from wielding a pencil as a weapon while in jail, and that guy was guilty (in my opinion), so I didn't have a lot of sympathy. This is totally different and it has really taken its toll on me this week. The man is very simple. Simple, decent and hardworking. Wrong place, wrong time, didn't respond well. But NOT a child molester.
Anyway, even though I am not "doing" the trial, like Pat is, I still feel a great amount of pressure because of my relationship with the family. I want to encourage them and give them reassurance, but at this point, I don't know how to reassure. We rested our cases this morning, and closing arguments ended by 11:00. The deliberated before lunch, met back at 1:15 and deliberated until 4:45 this afternoon. Could be a good sign....OR.....a bad sign. Only God knows, and Pat has learned to rest in his trust in God. I need to work in this area evidently. So, I just keep praying - for the jurors, for the Sheffields, for wisdom to know how to deal with them, etc. Please pray also, as you have a moment.
Well, looks like Andy is home. We've been going crazy busy the past several days. It's starting to work on me. Tonight I had a hair appointment after work, then to the gym, then home and a million phone calls. Last night was working late, church and then dinner out. Tuesday was working late and Andy had a meeting at the church. Something all the time. In the midst is the normal housecleaning and bill paying and plumbing problems in Graceville. You know, normal life. I don't know how some women. work full-time and have children and go to church and do everything that we are "supposed" to do. :)