Mich. judge orders prospective juror to sit through murder trial for arriving late with kids
By APWednesday, March 3, 2010
Angry Mich. judge punishes tardy prospective juror
PONTIAC, Mich. — A Michigan judge has ordered a stay-at-home mom to attend a murder trial and serve 24 hours in jail because she arrived late for jury selection.
Carmela Khury was released Monday after a day and a half as a spectator in Oakland County Circuit court.
The State Court Administrative Office told Judge Leo Bowman he had no authority to punish Khury and to drop the order or face sanctions.
Khury appeared in court an hour late with her 8-month-old and 3-year-old children last Thursday, saying she could not find a baby sitter.
Bowman dismissed her from the jury pool and ordered her to return Friday to watch the trial. He said she would have to spend 24 hours in jail after the case.
Bowman declined to comment through his staff in suburban Detroit.
Information from: Detroit Free Press, www.freep.com
