Judge Perry has really gone the extra mile today to try to keep potential jurors on board. During his address to the jurors as a group, he touted the fine hotel, great food, wonderful activities that would accompany their service and sequestration. He was willing to go above and beyond to accommodate someone's religious practices until it got to the point that it would disrupt the proceedings too greatly.
He even offered to one juror that if he could get his airline tickets refunded, the judge would personally see about getting him new tickets to a Brewers game that was to have been part of his trip. The airline will reimburse the tickets, so the judge told the juror he'd work on getting the new baseball tickets. The juror made sure to point out they were behind-home-plate seats. Everyone had a good laugh, including the judge. I've no doubt the man can make it happen.
Juror #3207 spoke to reporter on lunch break with an eye toward getting out of service. Judge is questioning him now. Juror says he initiated conversation -- says he doesn't remember the conversation (yeah, right). Did you tell the reporter you were trying to get out of jury duty? I guess, the juror says.
The judge wants to know why he should not hold him in contempt. Juror says he didn't know it was a crime. Do you want me to have person you talked to come forward to testify or do you admit it's true? Juror says it's true. Judge asks again why he shouldn't be sentenced for contempt. Juror says he didn't know. Judge says what, specifically, didn't he understand. Juror said he guesses he didn't listen. He just wanted to get out of jury duty, he says.
Judge finds him in contempt and asks if he has anything to say before the judge imposes sentencing. Jonathan Green, who works at Publix, is the juror in question. Juror again asserts he didn't know he did anything wrong. The judge will not imprison this time, but juror is to pay a fine to Clerk of Court of $450. Judge asks how long it will take him to pay it. Juror says he doesn't know. Judge says he better know because he'll be in trouble if he doesn't pay it. Judge will allow him to pay $50/month to Clerk of Court. Tells him he has a right to appeal within 30 days.
No comments:
Post a Comment