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HOW LUcKY

Ever watch the TV series 'Survivor'? Well, it doesn't live up to it's name like the forth coming PBS's 'Frontline'. They will air jury deliberations in a capitol murder trial in Harris County, Texas, the place known for condemning more people to death that just about anywhere on this planet.

On trial in an adult court is juvenile defendant, Cedric Ryan Harrison, 17 years young. He is accused of shooting a man in the chest with a shotgun and carjacking him on June 2, two days after his birthday. Harrison claims he fired the weapon on accident and that he was high on drugs at the time. Not much of a defense, but we'll see how it goes.

The judge in the case decided to allow the taping and the young defendant concurred after consulting with his lawyers and his mother who encouraged him to agree. Cedric's lawyer, Ricardo Rodriquez, told the Houston Chronicle that "if the state of Texas wants to attempt to execute a 17-year old, I think the whole world should be watching to make sure everything is done correctly." I can agree with that strategy, but will it work?

Placing ceiling cameras in the jury room will create two type of new jurors that ultimately want to be TV stars and make a statement to the world. The hero who wants to be Cedric's savior and prove that the young man is innocent or doesn't deserve the death penalty. Then there's the juror bound to carry out justice and prove to the world that a 17 year old can deserve to be executed. Regardless, this case will go down in history and cameras through out court proceedings will just be a part of the American justice system. Court TV will be pleased with this latest development.

With cameras the size of markers and some smaller along with digital technology rapidly advancing, this one-eyed witness is in view of all our actions. Whether it's driving, shopping, using an ATM or walking down the street. It's watching. And I use to think the 'Big Brother' system would never exist.

Cameras have been allowed into the jury rooms during regular criminal trials and even in a non-capitol murder trial in Arizona. Now a capitol murder trial involving a juvenile is set to hit the world stage for everyone to witness the American way of justice which the judge in case says is the best in the world. Soon famous people's trial will be paid-per-view events. The sad thing about Harrison's trial is that some viewers will find it entertaining.

All this taking place at a time when November 30 has been proclaimed 'World Day Against the Death Penalty'. Some 60 major cities around the globe, known as 'Cities of Life', illuminated famous public monuments like Rome's Coliseum and St. Peter's Cathedral in Geneva with huge light displays to condemn the use of the death penalty. The Coliseum is lit up each time a human life is saved or a country abolishes the death penalty. We'll have to wait and see if it will glow at the end of Cedric's ordeal. God be with you lil' homey.

3,048 people were executed in 31 countries last year (2,468 in China - don't fuck around in that country). Since the United States reintroduced capitol punishment in 1976, 810 people have been executed. 152 executions in Texas while President Bush was governor. No surprise there.

Every young person in America should view this program to observe how the older generation value our lives. I doubt there will be any jurors under 25. I seriously doubt any 18 or 19. But isn't Cedric Harrison, the defendant, suppose to be judged by a juror of his peers and not elders? Another reason, it's important for American youngsters to register to vote even if you plan on not voting. You feel me?

Well, from now on when you are arrested, you will not only be a defendant, but a TV star. That will make your mother proud.

written by Dope Daddy 52BSV