Posted on 04/25/2003 6:36:04 PM PDT by FourPeas
Jail term won't alter juror's defiant attitude Friday, April 25, 2003By Barton Deiters and Doug Guthrie
Every day, defendants leave the downtown court building to head to jail, but Thursday, it was a juror who went to the county lockup. Brian Scott Lett, a 23-year-old Alto resident who failed to show up for jury duty earlier this month, was hauled before Kent County Circuit Judge Donald Johnston Thursday and found in contempt of court. Lett was handcuffed and taken to Kent County Jail, where he remains today. Lett failed to show up for three consecutive days of jury duty starting April 7, then left an obscenity-laced response on the court's answering machine, using the F-word to indicate that he had no intention of serving on a jury. Johnston said when Lett came to court Thursday, he was abrasive and unrepentant. "Basically, he said he was too busy to be bothered with jury duty, and he just had a terrible attitude," said Johnston, who said this was the first time he could remember locking up a potential juror for contempt in his 24 years on the bench. "This was the most egregious example of the complete reverse of a sense of civic responsibility." Johnston said the three-day sentence is largely symbolic -- he could have sentenced Lett to 30 days -- but he hopes the Lowell High School graduate gets the message after his anger passes. But at least as of Thursday night, Lett had not cooled down. "I brought money expecting to pay a fine. I never thought I'd end up in jail," Lett said from jail. "It's unfair that they are locking someone up and keeping them from their work because the judge had a bad day." He said he could not show up because he had no car and it would have cost him $40 to take a cab. He also had to care for his 1-year-old daughter and did not want to miss time at his maintenance job. Lett's name was called, along with about 100 other Kent County residents, to report for duty at the Kent County Courthouse April 7-9. When jurors fail to show up for court-appointed duty and court workers cannot reach them by phone to discover the reason for their absence, an order is issued for them to appear before a judge. The judge then is the one asking the questions at a show-cause hearing. "Typically, the judge makes arrangements at the show cause for the person to serve and it's over," Circuit Court Administrator Kim Foster said. "There may be a fine here and there, but jail time is rare." Johnston said he has chewed people out from the bench who did not show up and also given out fines. Lett responded to written and telephone inquiries with two calls to the court, according to Circuit Court Jury Clerk Gail VanTimmeren. Lett originally responded by leaving an obscenity-laced message on VanTimmeren's voice-mail. "We are willing to consider some reasonable requests for exclusion from jury duty, but we don't consider, '(Expletive) jury duty, bitch,' a statement we can work with," VanTimmeren said. "We always try to be very solicitous," VanTimmeren added. "His responses were rather nasty. He was reached at his job and he said, 'I'm not coming in.'" Lett claims he had no idea that his statement was being taped and he did not mean to direct the comment at anyone in particular. VanTimmeren, who has served as jury clerk for eight years, said most people are hesitant about jury service at first. "I've had so many tell me there weren't interested in duty until they did it," she said. "At the very least, they say it was interesting. They get a taste of government they haven't had since high school civics class. There's usually a sense of pride when they finish." Johnston said he hoped Lett would learn the importance of jury duty -- a civic responsibility people have fought and died for. "I hope next time he is called, he'll show up 15 minutes early," he said. But Lett is not making the honor roll in this particular civics lesson. He said he would refuse to eat the "nasty" food in jail while he is there through Saturday. He also said he had no intention of serving on a jury. "Next time, I'm going to tell them I'm a racist mother------ and get out of it that way," Lett said.
The Grand Rapids Press
Try a mere *expression* of your views to a cop next time you see one. I'm sure that being the principaled citizen you are, you'll give that statist thug hell, unless, of course, he's there to protect you because you called 911.
I guess the thought police are alive and well on Free Republic!
No, but some of us are out here doing our part to keep America working, and we resent whiny, selfish adolescents who can't be bothered to perform the simplest of tasks in support of the republic.
What evidence do you have that any of this is true, beyond the scumbag's own word?
Answering attorneys' questions intelligently during voir dire certainly helps get you out of the box. Another surefire exclusion is if you have anything to do with insurance (civil cases).
I heard the Russians several years ago came up with a good idea (I don't know if it was implemented): The Court would employ a psychologist who briefly interviews prospective jurors to determine if they are reasonably intelligent and capable of reaching a rational decision. Prosecutors and defense attorneys don't have a say in the selection of the jury. Sounds better than our present circus.
But ... but ... I thought anarcho-conservatism means never having to be personally responsible for one's actions! It's all the fault of the Blue Meanies, isn't it?! ;)
I have seen conservative innocent people raped by these "judges" you admire so innocently.
Please don't be shy. Who are you?
I'm amazed at the number of folks on this board who think jury service is tantamount to slavery. I hope you folks never need a jury to decide on you when its your day in court.
I serve whenever called in part because government needs the watchdog. I'm there to do my part to make sure the guilty are convicted and to do my part to make sure the innocent are not. I try to be fair to all parties and mindful of the law.
I've never been a plaintiff or a defendant but, if I ever were, I'd want people who took the responsibility of jury service seriously when deciding my fate.
The more intelligent and sensible people who "get out" of jury duty, the more our legal system is left to those who aren't. Just remember that the next time you tear up your jury summons. One day, it could be your turn on the other side of that stripe.
You sound like the whiny peace protesters who yell "free speech" while others die for the freedoms and peace that they take for granted.
I'm thoroughly unimpressed with people who can think of nothing other than themselves.
Warsaw children orphaned by Judge Donald Johnston, who murdered their parents for failing to appear for jury duty.
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