If such a thing is possible, the Pickton trial got even more bizarre on Monday when families of Robert Pickton’s alleged victims were prohibited from bringing games and jigsaw puzzles into the courthouse while they wait for the verdict. “Colourful blankets” were also outlawed briefly, but given that the courthouse’s heating is on the fritz, that rule was hastily rescinded. The no-games rule is based on requirements of decorum for B.C. courts, which also prohibits tube-tops and short-shorts. With the jury in its fifth day of deliberation and nothing to report, the news outlets are clearly grasping at straws.
For those bored spectators twiddling their thumbs while the wheels of justice grind behind closed doors, we recommend this jaunty activity book [PDF link] published by the U.S. Department of Justice to help kids understand federal courts. If they’ll let you keep your crayons, that is.