THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2000
Fifteen potential jurors face contempt-of-court charges
By Jefferson Wolfe
Staff Writer
Fifteen potential jurors are facing contempt of court citations because they did not return a juror questionnaire after four mailings.
Judge Michael P. Kelbley said that, from the current group of jurors, 15 failed to return the questionnaire originally sent to them about a month ago.
"That's more than we've ever had before," Kelbley said. "I'm kind of surprised by this."
Kelbley and Judge Steve Shuff met and discussed what to do about the large number of questionnaires that were not returned.
Those 15 people have been sent letters ordering them to appear at 10 a.m. Oct. 5 regarding the citations for contempt.
After the initial notification that they were potential jurors, the 15 people were sent a second letter, then a third letter with another copy of the questionnaire before the citations were considered.
Of that group, there has been no notice so far of a death or a change of address, Kelbley said.
"It may be that they have legitimate reasons why they couldn't or shouldn't serve as jurors," he said. The problem is that group has not even returned the questionnaires so this can be determined.
It is not fair to those who do fill out their questionnaires and serve as jurors for some people to avoid the process, Kelbley said.