Judge Padden meets with Byesville Rotary

Pictured: 1^st row: Judge Padden, Chuck Fair, speaker host, Shana Fair (with camera)—President Byesville Rotary, Don Valentine, Dennis Harding; 2^nd row: MJ Barnes, Assist. District Governor, Larry Miller, Jo Sexton; 3^rd row: Sharon Miller.

During a Zoom meeting held Thursday evening, Judge Padden explained that our legal system has several types of juries. A grand jury consists of 9 members. The job of grand jury members is to examine the evidence and decide if the prosecutor has enough evidence to bring felony charges against a person alleged to have committed a crime.

Grand juries only deal with felonies. This type of crime includes murder, rape, sexual assaults, drug offenses, robbery, larceny, and arson. Grand jury members do not decide if the person is innocent or guilty. That is the job of the people serving in the trial jury.

The 9 grand jurors meet in session with the prosecuting attorney, court reporter, and witnesses. The prosecutor questions the witnesses then the grand jury members have the opportunity to ask questions. Everyone but the jurors leave the session. The jurors vote. At least 7 of the 9 must vote to indict for a case to go forward.  Grand jurors may see 6 to 20 potential cases during one day.

Judge Padden pointed out that grand jurors take an oath of secrecy. He stated, “… that this group is one of the few bodies of government that meets in secret.” There are several good reasons for the oath. One is to prevent the suspect’s reputation from being ruined in case the grand jury decides there is not enough evidence for an indictment. A second reason is that the secrecy may keep a suspect from fleeing in an attempt to avoid charges. And finally, the privacy observed during a grand jury session, encourages witnesses to testify.

When at least 7 of the 9 grand jurors vote that there is enough evidence to indict, the job of the grand jury members is done. They are no longer involved in the case. But the legal process set in motion by the grand jury continues as the person accused is informed of the charges, appears at an arraignment, is appointed or hires a lawyer, and submits a plea.

Judge Padden indicated that COVID-19 is not halting the legal process. The court is making adjustments in order to continue its activities. The grand jury sessions are being held in the large courtroom which has been rearranged to ensure the grand jurors can remain 6 feet apart. Temperatures are being taken as people enter the courthouse and sanitation procedures have been beefed up.

Connect with #ByesvilleRotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com , Twitter Byesville_Club, or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting. #6690

 

Byesville Rotary Club update

 

Attendees: Jim Bakos, Sharon Miller, Larry Miller, Dennis Harding, Debbie Mead, Shana Fair, Chuck Fair.

Guests: MJ Shackelford, Gary Moll.

 

Jan submitted a treasurer’s report.  To date 4 members have sent in dues: Joe Waske, Kerry, Inc., Sharon Miller, and Tonya Hitchens.

The scholarships have been awarded. Meadow Brook will be having a virtual award ceremony on May 12. The school wants to keep the names as a surprise until then. Thanks to committee chair Jim Bakos, and committee members Becky Bruner, Rhonda Stemmer, chuck Fair, Tanya Hitchens and Jim Vaughan for their work on this project.

The District PR grant has been implemented. Drive by the old bowling ally on 209 to see our billboard. The final report for the grant has been submitted except for the invoice and a copy of our check.     

Jordi Harding issued a challenge to club members to match her donation of $50.00 to one of the food pantries our club supports—Main Avenue Methodist Food Pantry or Stop Nine Food Pantry.

Because of the hunger problem in our county, the joint civic club committee is considering holding a Multi-service club food drive in the near future. Reisbeck’s is willing to participate.; Walmart is not. How many of you would be willing to work a shift as long as we took adequate safety precautions? Let me know please—text or call 740-607-4682.

A core group of club members had been meeting via Zoom to plan for the club’s future. We have been joined by Jenny Stotts, District membership chair, MJ Shackleford, Assist. District Governor, and Gary Moll, Assist, District Governor for 2020-2021.

We are discussing lots of interesting ideas about what we would like our club to look like in the future. This includes things like flexible meeting formats and times. If you want to help shape our future, join us at our next meeting.

One of our District Rotarians is selling face masks with the Rotary symbol on the mask. He is working with Rotarians in Guatemala who are working with Guatemalan women who are making the masks. The masks are $10--$8>00 form each mask goes back to the maker. If you would like one—let me know and I will forward your request to MJ. Money will be collected later. About 5 of us have ordered a mask. As the COVID-19 problem continues, we will wear the rotary masks with our Rotary shirts. Call or text me—740-607-4682.

We have a speaker for the May 21 meeting---Judge Paden who will join us via Zoom to talk about the Grand Jury. I am going to try to live stream this meeting on Facebook. So, if you don’t want to Zoom, you can still hear and see Judge Paden and comment via the FB chat function. Wish me luck learning a new tech skill.

Liza Groh will be leading a meeting about the Guatemala Literacy Project on May 28. She hopes to have a guest from Guatemala participate.

These meetings will be Zoom meetings and will be Thursday night at 7:00. Hope to see you at the meeting.

Jan and I are beginning plans for a Changing of the Guard. We are trying to be about creative how/what/where we will have this meeting. If you want to be part of the planning—call or text me—740-607-4682—or Jan—740-432-4957.