Thursday, July 9th

The kids were present in the courtroom as a part of their schooling. The class was there to observe the judicial system in person.

A court officer came in and got us. When I went into the courtroom, I saw a group of kids sitting in front. It looked like a junior high school class. “Once the trial actually begins there will be no talking,” the teacher with them said. “This is part of the American judicial system, and we have to respect every part of it.”
When I looked at the kids in the class, they turned away from me quickly. I sat down and looked straight ahead. It was easy to imagine myself sitting where they were sitting, looking at the back of the prisoner.