The Kee to Coaching: Fight for your Life!
This past week, I got the opportunity to perform my civic duty, and act as a member of a jury! The timing couldn't have been any worse, considering it was right in the middle of my season. All things considered, it gave me a unique life experience, that I will be able to take with me for the rest of my life.
The case lasted from Monday through Thursday, and the charges were very serious. The defendant in the case was charged with attempted murder, armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. The defendant, who was around my age, was alleged to have stabbed three people, during a home-invasion. One victim was stabbed as many as 27 times.
I have always had an interest in criminal justice, and it was an odd experience actually being selected to be on a jury, and having to judge whether somebody was innocent or guilty of such serious charges.
Appearance is Everything
The defendant in this case did a great job of making his appearance as professional as possible. At the time of the crime, he had long, green-tipped dreadlocks. He also had a full beard with slits in his eye-brows. For the trial, he kept a shorter haircut and was well-groomed, and neat. He appeared to be just a normal guy, who I could envision being friends with. Without knowing that he was indeed the one on trial, we could have easily believed that he was a lawyer or employee of the courthouse. He showed up each day to court in a freshly pressed dress shirt and tie. The prosecution tried to convince us to ignore his appearance and to see the monster that he really was. Most jurors were unable to do so, and some potential jurors were even excused for saying that the defendant “didn’t look like a criminal”.
Whether you're interviewing for a job, meeting with a recruit or speaking with a staff member in another department, your appearance is the first thing that people will use to judge you. You can either make a positive or negative first impression. I've always heard that you should dress for the job that you want and not the job that you have. After this experience, I have gained an appreciation for how much a clean-cut appearance can help you make a positive impression, in a room full of strangers.
Everybody Remembers How You Finish
Throughout the trial, I went back and forth about whether the defendant was guilty or innocent. The defense had a strong opening statement, but the prosecution did a solid job of prepping their main witness. The deciding factor for me were the closing statements made by the defense. The attorney did a tremendous job, and left several quotes that filled my head as we deliberated for two days. The closing statements, aren’t considered facts, but it is more so a summary of the trial and their interpretation of the events that took place.
From a basketball standpoint, we have not had the season that we were expecting. We had the goal of making the conference tournament, but we have fallen short. We have two games left, and nothing would make us happier than to end the season with two wins. Winning cures a lot of problems, and finishing the season strong would send our players, coaching staff, and basketball-family into the off-season with some positive momentum and would help overshadow our overall record!
Fight for your Life!
Throughout the trial, it was interesting to be in the room with so many people who were giving all they had and fighting for their lives. One of the victims in the case was stabbed 27 times, put in a coma, but somehow found a way to survive and tell his story. The defendant in the case, was actively involved in discussions with his lawyer, coming up with questions to ask witnesses and had a huge hand in helping select the jury. He was facing a charge of attempted murder, and had to give everything he could to keep his freedom. The lawyers on each side have a very serious and important job. The outcomes of cases like these affect so many people, and they have to prepare for each case with mindset that lives are on the line.
Being on a jury is not as glamorous as I thought it would be. You spend a lot of time sitting in a room, without any access to technology. What I did enjoy about the process is that it gave me an opportunity to reflect on what I was witnessing and to analyze it and see what I could gain from the experience. I realized that I never want to be in the position of the defendant or victims, and that I would be just fine not stepping foot in a court room ever again. It also helped put some things in perspective for me, and it gave me a feel for the level of preparation that I need to approach each day with. I have a goal of being a Head College Basketball Coach, and I need to FIGHT as hard as I can, each day, to reach that goal.
