Grand Jury
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* Re “Grand Juries’ Racial Makeup Under Challenge,” Oct. 12:
Not too long ago, after ending a career as a senior Air Force officer followed by an equally long stint as a civilian executive in the Department of Defense, I applied to serve on the grand jury as a form of community service. During my interview, the judge praised my resume and said he would recommend me to serve on the jury. The next step, he stated, was for me to obtain letters from three other judges also recommending me to the post. Although I happened to know three judges, I refused to participate in such a politicized process any further. I turned to the City of Los Angeles, offered my service and have happily served the Personnel Department ever since.
I believe that there are many more prospective minority candidates out there willing to serve on the grand jury who are much better qualified than I, also speak English very well, are not felons and who don’t give a damn about the $25 a day.
The grand jury selection system is flawed and needs to be fixed if grand juries are to fairly reflect all segments of the community at large.
HENRY CERVANTES
Marina del Rey
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