[dbussone]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Why wasn't there a special prosecuter appointed to replace the "local" prosecuter with close ties to the police department?

I'm not sure a special prosecutor would change the outcome, Bogie. I served on a grand jury for 6 months. It was the prosecutor's job to bring cases to us, but we had broad powers to ask for witnesses and experts to explain things and go over evidence. The prosecutor almost served as more of an assistant to us. In fact, we had the ability to hear evidence/testimony on cases we wished to hear, that the prosecutor did even offer up. I'm sure there are differences from state to state and jurisdiction to jurisdiction. My point is that the members of a hand jury play a very active role in a case, not the passive role one sees on television before a judge.