Mr. T showing up for Jury Duty

[mzkhadir]

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140815/news/140818937/

Mr. T held court Friday outside the Rolling Meadows courthouse, where the television and film star was assigned jury duty.

"I pity the criminals today," said the Chicago resident, who said he was designated a potential juror for a trial scheduled for Friday afternoon.


Sporting his trademark mohawk and wearing an FBI sweatshirt and hat, Mr. T, who co-starred in the movie "Rocky III" and on TV's "The A Team" spent his lunch break shaking hands, posing for photographs and chatting with fans whose numbers included courthouse personnel, attorneys and law enforcement officers. All of them jockeyed for position near the gregarious celebrity, who accommodated female fans with the comment "ladies first."

"My mama taught me that," said the self-described "old-fashioned mama's boy" as he encouraged young people in the crowd to listen to their mothers.

Mr. T, 62, who was born Lawrence Tureaud, said he never considered "playing hooky" when he received his jury summons.

"That's not my style," said the former bodyguard-turned-actor, who expressed respect for law enforcement and the judicial system. "I've got to set an example. I understand my responsibility. I told the judge: I'll do my best to never let you down."

 

[CZroe]

"I pity the criminals today"
Sounds like he's trying to get out of jury duty with a statement like that. When taken literally, it makes him sound like he's sympathetic to the criminals. When taken as intended, it makes it sound like he's already decided that the defendant is a criminal. Neither interpretation would fly for impartial jury selection.

 

[Printer Bandit]

You literally have to be a mindless drone to be picked for a jury these days.

 

[purbeast0]

damn mr t is 62? looking good for a 62 year old. i'd never guess he is that old just based on how he looks. seems like a really cool dude.

 

[alkemyst]

"I pity the criminals today"
Sounds like he's trying to get out of jury duty with a statement like that. When taken literally, it makes him sound like he's sympathetic to the criminals. When taken as intended, it makes it sound like he's already decided that the defendant is a criminal. Neither interpretation would fly for impartial jury selection.

Do you even Get a Life, bro?

 

[CZroe]

Do you even Get a Life, bro?

Not since you stopped updating 30moons.

 

[Ichinisan]

Do you even Get a Life, bro?

Be cool.


Stay in school.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

You literally have to be a mindless drone to be picked for a jury these days.

Or someone who believes in duty.

 

[Jumpem]

Or someone who believes in duty.

He is saying that they will dismiss anyone from being selected from the jury if you show any signs of analytical thought.

 

[PlanetJosh]

^ Or how about people please start behaving more nicely in San Diego County so there's much less chance of having court cases in the first place and much less chance of the County asking me to perform the duties of jury service.

 

[Lyfer]

Love this guy.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

He is saying that they will dismiss anyone from being selected from the jury if you show any signs of analytical thought.

I read it as "only stupid people willingly sit on a jury." Every time I get called, I ostensibly go in with the idea of getting out of the duty. Then, I listen to the truly stupid, juvenile and, self centered reasons why others can't serve and I'm embarrassed to be in the same room with them. I've sat on a jury four times now.

 

[CPA]

I read it as "only stupid people willingly sit on a jury." Every time I get called, I ostensibly go in with the idea of getting out of the duty. Then, I listen to the truly stupid, juvenile and, self centered reasons why others can't serve and I'm embarrassed to be in the same room with them. I've sat on a jury four times now.

Same here. It makes me sick some of the lame excuses people use.

 

[MrDudeMan]

I read it as "only stupid people willingly sit on a jury." Every time I get called, I ostensibly go in with the idea of getting out of the duty. Then, I listen to the truly stupid, juvenile and, self centered reasons why others can't serve and I'm embarrassed to be in the same room with them. I've sat on a jury four times now.

I go in with the attitude that I want to be there because I do. I would want a jury to be paying attention enough to give me a fair shake, so that's how I behave. The times I've been picked were positive experiences even when it took more than a week to get through the trial. People complain without giving it a second thought because they're stupid and don't understand it's an atypical experience that can actually benefit you as well as someone else.

 

[Sattern]

Whenever me or my family members gets called upon for jury duty we just write on the slip "no speeko english" and they tend to never send us any more of their letters.

 

[Brainonska511]

Whenever me or my family members gets called upon for jury duty we just write on the slip "no speeko english" and they tend to never send us any more of their letters.

Douche.

 

[NetWareHead]

I don't know, I'm on the fence about jury duty. I've heard and also agree with the arguments from both sides. I understand that it is civic duty and if I ever were in the hot seat, I'd want an educated jury that can fairly decide.

On the other hand, I saw a self employed contractor plead with the judge that the time for him to serve on a jury would cause undue financial hardship on his business. It was in the winter time and the contractor argues that a case such as this (criminal trail) would cause him to be unable to do his snow plowing and satisfy his contractual obligations to his customers. The judge was unsympathetic and told the contractor that his customers are his problem and not the court's concern and said that he was NOT excused. The guy tried to ask for a deferment for after the winter but the judge was too angry and said too bad. I couldn't help but feel sorry for the guy.

I'm glad I have a 9-5 job and am entitled to jury duty pay but what if I wasn't? What if I am selected for a jury that is sequestered in a hotel room and have to live there for months? You gotta be kidding me if I have too live in a hotel room without contact with the outside world. Even if I get jury duty pay and a guarantee from my employer to hold my position, inevitably my standing with the company will suffer and projects will be completed by others and give them a chance to advance ahead of me. IMO, all of this is unacceptable to me.

The fact that the court decides to throw $5 or some similar daily pittance at me is in insult if you ask me. The damn courts don't even cover the cost for jurors to park in their own lot.

It is for these reasons that I try to get out of jury duty whenever I can. I always answer with non-partial answers and with the implications that I have prejudices already going into all of this. I always mention that my brother-in-law is a lawyer and we discuss law frequently and one of my past employers was a law firm and I have a fair understanding in law. It works every time. I'm sorry but civic duty be damned. I have a duty to my own family and my own obligations first and foremost before "civic duty".

 

[Printer Bandit]

properly trained people, i.e. judges, need to be on juries.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I dont know, Im on the fence about jury duty. Ive heard and also agree with the arguments from both sides. I understand that it is civic duty and if I ever were in the hot seat, Id want an educated jury that can fairly decide.

On the other hand, I saw a self employed contractor plead with the judge that the time for him to serve on a jury would cause undue financial hardship on his business. It was in the winter time and the contractor argues that a case such as this (criminal trail) would cause him to be unable to do his snow plowing and satisfy his contractual obligations to his customers. The judge was unsympathetic and told the contractor that his customers are his problem and not the court's concern and said that he was NOT excused. The guy tried to ask for a deferment for after the winter but the judge was too angry and said too bad. I couldn't help but feel sorry for the guy.

Most judges in my experience have no issue with deferring service or, letting a juror go if it really affects them financially. Your point that the judge was an asshole doesn't negate your duty. You have no right to equitable compensation for performing that duty. You hope for an 'educated and concerned ' jury if you find yourself in need of one but, what is the logical result of everyone looking out for number one?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

properly trained people, i.e. judges, need to be on juries.

You deserve to have your life controlled by lawyers.

 

[Printer Bandit]

You deserve to have your life controlled by lawyers.

you need brain surgery? let me do that for you. i stayed in a holiday inn express last night.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

you need brain surgery? let me do that for you. i stayed in a holiday inn express last night.

I'll bet you never question policy either. You really think adhering to the letter of the law is the definition of justice? You deserve whatever the corporate overlords allow you to have. Our society is not dependent on our legal system.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Whenever me or my family members gets called upon for jury duty we just write on the slip "no speeko english" and they tend to never send us any more of their letters.

sure......douche move...

 

[Brian Stirling]

I think Mr. T is one cool dude. Good to see someone that could easily escape jury duty stepping up to do his duty.

I doubt hill be selected, however, and the comment "I pity the criminal" will be the clincher...


Brian

 

[alkemyst]

Not since you stopped updating 30moons.

Yeah I need to get that fixed. Something broke the hosting.

Thanks for reminding me bro, but work on getting that life. K?