August
2, 2014
The
Union of Grass Valley
Letter
to the Editor
Thank you, Diane
Masini, for another fine article on the duties of, and constraints on, the
Nevada County grand jury. It needed to be said to explain some of the actions
of the current jury.
I, also, was once a
grand juror, and know how limiting the confidentiality requirement can be in
writing final reports.
As in all government
activities, appearances can be just as important as substance. It appeared to
me from this year’s reports that the jury took on more than it could chew and
cut corners to complete its work.
It also crossed my
mind that the jury may have approached some of its investigations with a
conclusion already in mind as interviewees were selected. I say this horrible
thing because I fear others may have had this impression.
No one can suggest
that in fact this jury was sloppy or biased in its work, because only the
jurors are privy to their investigations and deliberations.
It is important for
all of us to know that grand jury reports are not the end-all on the topics
investigated. A grand jury’s job is to shed enough light that others can
complete the job in the open where sources of facts can be revealed and new
information explored.
Grand jury secrecy
is required to shield interviewees so they can reveal facts without fear of
retribution, among other things. This jury has succeeded admirably in stirring
the waters to inspire others to probe into several matters of great importance
to Nevada County. Well done!
Herb Lindberg, Penn
Valley
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