Please stand for the jury

During a jury trial in superior court, all people in the courtroom are asked to stand to recognize members of the jury when they file into the room and take their seats in the jury box. The practice is a recognition of the power which has been bestowed on the jury to rule on whether or not the state has proved beyond a reasonable doubt its case against a person who has been charged.

After hearing evidence and arguments in the state's case against former Pullman Police Sgt. Dan Hargraves, the superior court jury reported the state failed to prove the case. They couldn't return the required unan...