“The right of the jury to decide questions of law was widely recognized in the colonies. In 1771, John Adams stated unequivocally that a juror should ignore a judge’s instruction on the law if it violates fundamental principles: “It is not only ... [the juror’s] right, but his duty, in that case, to find the verdict according to his own best understanding, judgment, and conscience, though in direct opposition to the direction of the court.” There is much evidence of the general acceptance of this principle in the period immediately after the Constitution was adopted.”

~ Yale Law Journal

Note: The Changing Role of the Jury in the Nineteenth Century, Yale Law Journal 74, 174 (1964).

Mary - MI 7/18/14

Robert, St. Emilion, France 7/18/14

Mike, Norwalk 7/18/14

Now they just near shoot you if you speak such blasphemy against the gods of the black robbed priesthood.

E Archer, NYC 7/18/14

I think if a lawyer said that today in a courtroom he could be disbarred.

jim k, austin tx 7/18/14

E Archer, he would probably go to jail for contempt of court .