The all-lady jury that acquitted George Zimmerman enjoyed steaks, pedicures, and bowling excursions during their 22-night sequester at a Florida Marriott. The state’s taxpayers paid $33,000 to subsidize the fun-filled slumber party.
“It certainly seems reasonable to me that a woman would desire a bit of personal grooming over 22 days,” Randy Reep, a Florida attorney, told USA Today. “Allowing the woman to get manicures and pedicures or enjoying other activities is important to the mental well-being of these jurors who are in a very stressful situation,” said Elizabeth Parker, a Florida criminal defense attorney and former assistant state prosecutor. “Imagine four weeks of being confined to a courtroom all day and a hotel room at night and on the weekend, without any freedom or independence.”
So basically: they would’ve turned into total depressed bitches if they hadn’t been sufficiently pampered. What a bummer that would’ve been. Might there be a fine line between allowing jurors basic creature comforts and taking them on field trips to watch fireworks? You decide! Here’s a list of delightful ways to pass the time; guess which ones the juror gals enjoyed before deciding to acquit a murderer.
1. Dinner at Outback Steakhouse
2. SoulCycle classes
3. Foot rubs
4. Ice cream sundaes
5. Bowling
6. A day trip to St. Augustine, which included dinner and a visit to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum