Jury Duty

"Does anyone live in the neighborhood in which the alleged crime was committed?" the judge wanted to know.

I was the only one of the 50 potential jurors to stand. The defendant was accused of selling cocaine just three blocks from where I live. I am more familiar with the corner than I care to be, as Washington's one-way streets make it impossible for me to drive to my home without passing through this gauntlet of illegal drug dealers, who often wave their bags of white powder in an effort to make a sale.