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General discussion

Man tries to escape jury duty by claiming to be liar.

by grimgraphix Jul 10, 2007 2:03AM PDT
ARNSTABLE, Massachusetts (AP) -- A Cape Cod man who claimed he was homophobic, racist and a habitual liar to avoid jury duty earned an angry rebuke from a judge on Monday, who referred the case to prosecutors for possible charges.


Daniel Ellis' excuses to try to get out of jury duty didn't sit well with the judge.

"In 32 years of service in courtrooms, as a prosecutor, as a defense attorney and now as a judge, I have quite frankly never confronted such a brazen situation of an individual attempting to avoid juror service," Barnstable Superior Court Judge Gary Nickerson told Daniel Ellis, according to a preliminary court transcript of the exchange.

Ellis, of Falmouth, had been called to court with about 60 other potential jurors for possible service on a 23-member grand jury.

On a questionnaire that all potential jurors fill out, Ellis wrote that he didn't like homosexuals and blacks. He then echoed those sentiments in an interview with Nickerson.

"You say on your form that you're not a fan of homosexuals," Nickerson said.

"That I'm a racist," Ellis interrupted.

"I'm frequently found to be a liar, too. I can't really help it," Ellis added.

"I'm sorry?" Nickerson said.

"I said I'm frequently found to be a liar," Ellis replied.

"So, are you lying to me now?" Nickerson asked.

"Well, I don't know. I might be," was the response.

Ellis then admitted he really didn't want to serve on a jury.

"I have the distinct impression that you're intentionally trying to avoid jury service," Nickerson said.

"That's true," Ellis answered.

Nickerson ordered Ellis taken into custody. He was released later Monday morning.

Ellis could face perjury and other charges.

If he had refused to answer that last question then I don't see how they could have charged him.

Discussion is locked

3 Posts
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I'm not sure how this guy managed to escape
by Steven Haninger Jul 10, 2007 2:42AM PDT

being drafted for public office somewhere. Devil

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If he gets charged...
by C1ay Jul 10, 2007 3:10AM PDT

maybe he'll get a bunch of jurors with the same character he has Happy

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A jury of peers
by Dragon Jul 10, 2007 5:49AM PDT

Looks to me like a jury should be made up of gay black liars if thats what the accused is. Silly

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