Episode 3: The Sentence

At the nurse’s sentencing hearing, the patients learn a shocking detail that forces them to confront the limits of their compassion.

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How is this possible?

I served on jury duty. The plaintiff was a man with a family—kids and wife. It was a serious but nonviolent crime. The judge, at deliberation instructions, specifically said not to consider his family situation when determining guilt and punishment. This was reiterated several times. Not to consider he would loose his career, his wife was going to divorce him and he had young children. We were only to focus on his behavior. We found him guilty and gave him 8 years out of a possible 10 years. Sentences should be related to guilt and degree of crime. I was shocked at how this judge put so much emphasis on a confessed criminals life situation and gave her so much favor. It blew my mind! I guess it’s good I live in a state where juries determine jail time instead of judges.

Heartbreaking

My only criticism is that I wish there would have been more conversation throughout about the many layers of gendered oppression. It’s a short podcast so I understand, so basically my only criticism is that I wish it were longer bc I know the host could have spoken about all that quite thoroughly if that had been the case. I gave it all 5 stars bc of all the podcasts I’ve listened to about reproduction or about people with uteri… this one touched on all the feminist issues I could see. There is institutional racism and sexism that has been perpetuated since the beginning of modern medicine, and I’m really glad that all of that was included in this story.