Part 20 (1/2)

3. When the person in the black robe asks for a well-reasoned verdict, he is: a) Talking to the bailiff.

b) Talking to the jury.

c) Wasting his time.

4. All citizens should consider their jury duty as: a) An integral part of the judicial system.

b) A paid vacation from work.

c) A chance to get your portrait sketched free by a courtroom artist.

5. While sequestered during a long trial, jurors are often cautioned: a) Not to read the newspapers.

b) Not to discuss the case among themselves.

c) Not to communicate with the psychic spirit of s.h.i.+rley MacLaine.

6. The word ”unanimous” means: a) All in agreement.

b) All in the same language.

c) All in the same time zone.

7. During the trial, jurors should never: a) Speak directly to the witnesses.

b) Speak rudely to the judge.

c) Take bets as to which of them can spit the farthest.

8. Which of the following is considered a legitimate excuse to be dismissed from a jury: a) ”My mother has the flu.”

b) ”My Rottweiler has the mange.”

c) ”I'm missing all my soaps.”

9. The best way to break a jury deadlock is: a) By a careful and thoughtful review of the evidence.

b) By listening to the tapes over and over.

c) By doing one-potato, two-potato.

10. If a jury wishes to communicate with the judge, the proper method is: a) Writing a brief and simple note.

b) Raising your hand and asking permission to speak.

c) Slapping yourself in the face and shouting ”whoop-whoop-whoop!” like Curly of the Three Stooges.

11. When writing a note to the judge, it is advisable to: a) Print neatly.

b) Try to use at least one verb in each sentence.

c) Try not to refer to the defendants as ”slithering vermin.”

12. As the trial progresses, most jurors are: a) Absorbed with the seriousness of their responsibilities.

b) Impressed that lawyers for both sides can be so persuasive.

c) Surprised that they don't really get to meet Judge Wapner in person.

13. When selecting a foreman, the jury should always pick the member who: a) Is the most reasonable and articulate.

b) Has the keenest grasp of both arguments in the case.

c) Can spit the farthest.

Mob desire backfires on longtime cop August 30, 1989 Today's Episode: Ralph Joins The Mob.

Not Ralph Kramden, but Ralph Finno. He's the former Fort Lauder-dale police captain who last year ran for Broward sheriff, and lost. This year, authorities say, Ralph chose a different line of work.

The scene: a typically tacky office on Commercial Boulevard. Hidden TV cameras are rolling (Ralph doesn't know it).Two other guys in the room aren't real mobsters, they're police informants (Ralph doesn't know this, either).

Bogus Mob Guy # 1: ”To swear an oath to us, that your allegiance is with our family, I ask you to bite this bullet. With this bullet, you are now a part of us.”

Bogus Mob Guy #2: ”That's the bullet that's got your name on it.”

Bogus Mob Guy # 1: ”Right, that's your bullet. Capisce?”

Ralph Finno: ”Capisce.” (Uneasily.) ”Want me to bite the bullet?”

Bogus Mob Guy # 1: ”Just bite it. That's good.”

Ralph bites. Gingerly he hands the bullet back to the phony mob guy, who then kisses Ralph on both cheeks.

Unfortunately for Ralph, the bullet later reappeared in an evidence bag after Ralph was arrested for loan sharking, racketeering and running a house of prost.i.tution. Today Ralph says he did nothing wrong.

Over months he'd been videotaped discussing alleged crimes with the phony mob guys. His ”initiation” into the Family was to be the climax of these friends.h.i.+ps. As silly as it looked, Ralph's ceremony went smoother than his brother Tony's.