Sen. John McCain passed over for Arizona jury duty
Aug 12, 2013, 11:14 AM | Updated: 4:22 pm
That guy who walked into the Maricopa County Superior Court on Monday morning, the one who looked like Sen. John McCain? It was McCain.
McCain excitedly tweeted about the task that more often than not other citizens find reasons to avoid. He was impaneled by late morning but wasn’t chosen as a juror.
Got word I'm done with #juryduty today – I appreciate the Court staff's dedicated work & all #Arizonans who serve on our juries
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) August 12, 2013
Not selected for this jury trial, but may need to report back this afternoon #juryduty
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) August 12, 2013
The senior U.S. senator from Phoenix kept his followers updated throughout the process.
Reporting for #juryduty this morning at the Maricopa County Superior Court in #Phoenix – let's see if I'm picked!
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) August 12, 2013
He was selected for panel of prospective jurors for the
re-trial of a man whose convictions in the 1991 killings of nine people at a
Buddhist temple west of Phoenix were overturned on appeal. By late morning, he had proceeded to a courtroom, where he and the other prospective jurors were questioned by the judge and attorneys.
Just got selected for a panel – let's see what happens next #juryduty
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) August 12, 2013
“Something told me you weren’t going to make it on this one,” Judge Joseph Kreamer told
McCain after the other prospective jurors left the courtroom.
Potential jurors who believed they would be able to serve the whole six weeks
were ordered to fill out questionnaires, and the rest were told to report back
to be questioned by the judge on their hardship.
McCain said he showed up like other citizens because it is part of his civic
duty.
“I thought it was important to be involved in the process,” he said. “I was
impressed with their efficiency and the information that they give prospective
jurors using technology. The videos I think explained to anyone the importance,
frankly, of being a juror.”
McCain joked with other jurors who rode the elevator with him, including the
woman sitting next to him in the jury box.
The 2008 Republican presidential nominee said he would have served on a short
trial if he had been selected.
“I would have had to cancel a few meetings, but I’m sure that the country
would have survived without those,” he said.
He was scheduled to meet with the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce at 2 o’clock.
The senator spent the weekend in northern Arizona touring the Grand Canyon, and is set Tuesday for a Tucson town hall.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
