Chapter 10
It took over a week for the jury to be chosen. Anyone that answered that their mind was made up already was automatically dismissed.
That left forty-eight individuals that were questioned on their beliefs about euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. They were asked about their feelings about President Bartlet while he was in office and had they ever met him in person in Manchester. If married, they were asked about their relationships with their spouse. They were asked if they had a living will in place and if they understood what a durable health power of attorney was. They were asked if they believed in God and what their religious beliefs were about death.
They were asked many other things that Abbey felt had no relevance to her case, but she knew her attorney knew best.
After both attorneys used their strikes, a group of twelve individuals and five alternates were chosen.
The main jury consisted of seven women and five men, ten Protestants and two Catholics, eight jurors over the age of 50, and two stay at home moms and the rest holding various professional occupations, including one physician and one nurse. Both sides had exhausted their strikes or else the two medically-trained jurors would not have been seated on the jury.
After the recess, Pat and Abbey grabbed a bite to eat in a café down the street from the courthouse. On the way down, Abbey noticed people staring at her. But she continued to walk, head held high, choosing to focus on the conversation with her lawyer. Her agents made sure that no one could approach the former First Lady. For that, Abbey was grateful.
"It's a good jury, Abbey. I'd rather not have the two medical people but I didn't have a choice. But I think that it will only help your case. The doctor and nurse may have been in similar circumstances and that will only help with the sympathy factor."
"What do you think?"
"I think you'll be found not guilty. But who knows? I've seen their witness list and they have some powerful people. But you are my star witness. Only you were there that night and only you know what you were feeling and thinking. The first half of the trial will be tough. The witnesses will challenge your very core beliefs. But hang tough. Like the tough person I think you are."
Abbey looked at her with hope. Pat had been through this before and knew what she was talking about.
But the trial would go on. Now, the whole country would be privy to a very private part of Abbey's life. It had been such an agonizing time that now would be open for all the world to second guess her actions.
Abbey thought back to Millie's' question that day that seemed so long ago: 'Was it worth it?' She would soon have the law tell her whether it was worth it.
Opening arguments were scheduled for the next day.