Public Outing

In a US District Court room, I was listening to the judge as he began the jury selection process. Because this was a criminal case, several FBI agents sat at the government’s table with the prosecutors. Having introduced the agents as such, the judge addressed his next question to the 60-odd members of the morning’s jury pool.

“Do any of you prospective jurors have a spouse, a relative, or even a close friend who is currently a police officer, or a member of any state or federal law enforcement agency?” A number of jury candidates raised their hands, and the judge called on them one at a time so that he, the prosecutors, and the defense attorneys could hear about their connections.

Coming to the middle of the second row, he pointed to the next hand-raiser, a woman. She rose, and began as requested with her pool number and name.

“I’m juror number 23, your Honor, and my name is Nora Escobedo.”

“Ms. Escobedo,” asked the judge, “Do you have a spouse, a relative, or even a close friend who is currently a police officer, or a member of any state or federal law enforcement agency?”

“Yes, your Honor,” stated Ms. Escobedo at the top of her voice. “My brother is an undercover officer with the Milwaukee Police Department.”

There were two seconds of silence in the court room. Then all three FBI agents burst out laughing, and the judge said, “Not any more, he isn’t.”