I’m just off two days of voir dire, which is supposed to mean “to speak the truth” and have something to do with the potential jurors disclosing any possible conflicts of interest. In reality, it seemed more like an opportunity for both sides to begin making their case through clever suggestion. For instance, after a lengthy monologue (15 minutes would probably not be an exaggeration) about the overwhelming burden of proof that rests with the prosecution to show guilt beyond a reasonable doubt (his emphasis), the defense counsel ended up calling each of the 14 potential jurors by name and having them recite the phrase “Not Guilty” aloud. Then when one of the 14 was less than enthusiastic in her recitation, he proceeded to advise her on how to improve her public speaking, à la The Brady Bunch (you remember, the episode where Marcia was nervous during her driving exam). “Any time you’re nervous, you should just picture me standing here in my boxer shorts. Works great, doesn’t it?”