Richard Roeper on Peterson Jury: Where's the Respect?

The Drew Peterson murder trial has many aspects of the ridiculous, Richard Roeper wrote in his column Wednesday. 

But he takes particular issue with the jurors' clothing choices, from wearing sport jerseys on Monday to red, white and blue on Tuesday. 

It's a sign of solidarity, defense attorney Joel Brodsky has said. But Roeper questions: 

"OK — but aren’t they supposed to wait until after closing arguments and they’re debating the case before the individuals all come together and show unity via their verdict? Why are they even having conversations about what they’re going to wear to the trial every day, and why aren’t the lawyers or the judge asking about it?

It's inappropriate, Roeper said.

If I were on the bench, and a jury in a murder trial dressed as if they were about to go tailgating at a Bears game or they were on their way to a Fourth of July barbecue, I would have called a recess and told them to knock if off.

Kathleen Savio was a mother, a sister, a daughter. Whether she was murdered or her death was accidental, she is the reason everyone is gathered for that trial. Her memory deserves more respect.

The courtroom is not a comedy club.

Read Roeper's full column here.

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