Judge Ito and Simpson Jurors

* Now that the “Trial of The Century” is concluded, the citizens of Los Angeles County owe the Honorable Lance A. Ito our sincere thanks. This judge managed an unmanageable trial, he controlled the uncontrollable attorneys and he cared for a sequestered jury. No matter whether you agree or disagree with the verdict, everyone should know how much work this judge put into this trial.

While both the district attorney’s office and the defense team had many attorneys working on this case, there was only one judge to handle all of the legal issues. The attorneys outnumbered him 20 to 1.

If all of the judges in this country were of the same caliber as Ito, we would all be much better off.

GEORGE F. BIRD, JR.

Former Chairman, L.A. County Bar Assn.

Criminal Justice Section

* It should come as no surprise that the Simpson jury came to such a quick decision. Judge Ito, in his zeal to promote harmony in a sequestered jury, dismissed those jurors that he decided did not “fit in,” sometimes for dubious cause. In effect, he created a monolith which was not what a jury is supposed to be: a group of people with diverse viewpoints coming together to discuss a case before a judgment is made.

BEN BROWDY

Los Angeles

* According to your poll (Oct. 4), one-half of the population disagrees with the Simpson verdict. Given the apparent bitterness of the debate following the verdict, it seems as though a hung jury would have been more popular. In my view the jury is being unfairly criticized for doing what the pundits thought was impossible, coming to a unanimous verdict. Give the jurors a break; they did their job.

If there is blame for an incorrect verdict, it belongs to the LAPD for developing evidence that could be so successfully attacked by the defense. No matter what your opinion of O.J.’s guilt or innocence, surely one must recognize that the evidence could rationally be said to be fatally flawed. That’s all the jury said.

CHARLES HARTMAN

Pomona

* First came the Twinkie defense. Then two brothers get jittery as their parents eat ice cream and watch TV. So, naturally, they shoot them and win the sympathy of many by so doing. And now, not to be outdone, Simpson sleeps in Brentwood instead of Downtown L.A., the mountain of evidence too high for the jurors to view, let alone climb.

Is the Bus of Justice wrecked? No, but it is hurtling downhill out of control with Passion behind the wheel and Reason in the back seat weeping.

ART OWEN

Long Beach

* Your suggestion that “there is much room to improve the conditions of jury service, particularly in Los Angeles County” (editorial, Oct. 6) certainly struck a chord with me. I am currently serving as a juror for the second time in L.A. County and find that the system here seems to be geared to make jury service unpalatable. There was a 40-minute wait to check in on the first day. For the past two days the entire pool of jurors has sat in the assembly room all day and only one group of jurors was called to a courtroom. The pay is ridiculous and makes jury service unattractive if not downright burdensome.

My co-workers who have served as jurors in neighboring counties shake their heads in amazement at our system. They have found the court systems there much more considerate of the citizens called to serve in this important and vital role.

JEROME STACK

Norwalk