I have no opinion regarding the guilt or innocence
of Yasin Abu Bakr relative to the charges against him before presiding judge, Mark Mohammed. The evidence will determine that.

However, I find the capitulation to the demands of the jurors by judge Mohammed has changed the paradigm. The jurors now have access to un-edited copies of three daily newspapers, use of telephones
and televisions, extra time to meet with relatives and one individual has access to a computer.

This is the new cost of Civic duty. Those provisions imposed by the judge will unduly diminish impartiality as a result of undue influence resulting from the mediums now being provided to the jurors.

Civic duty is not a holiday, it is a responsibility. No one can say for sure how influential the opinions of others will have on the jurors. Make no mistake, those opinions will play a role in the ultimate decision. The question is, who will get the short end of the stick, the State or the defendant?