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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Juror Booted for 'Sitting in Hell' Facebook Post

Ohio man's Facebook message prompts calls for mistrial

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(Newser) – An Ohio man inadvertently discovered a new, high-tech way to get out of jury duty: write about it on Facebook. A judge in a high-profile civil lawsuit booted Barry Price from service after the plaintiff’s attorney discovered his Facebook status: “Barry Price is sitting in hell… aka jury duty.” The defense team asked for a mistrial, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

But the judge refused, saying Price “has been removed from service. Let’s move on, folks.” Next week, jurors are expected to be seated in the case, which was brought by a worker severely injured in a rail yard accident. Price, 27, did not explain why he was removed from the jury pool, saying, “I don’t recall.”

The Facebook logo is displayed at a news conference in New York in this November 6, 2007 file photo.
The Facebook logo is displayed at a news conference in New York in this November 6, 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, file)
On Ohio man was booted from jury duty on a prominent civil lawsuit because of what he wrote on Facebook, sparking an argument over whether the suit should be declared a mistrial.
On Ohio man was booted from jury duty on a prominent civil lawsuit because of what he wrote on Facebook, sparking an argument over whether the suit should be declared a mistrial.   (Shutter Stock)
The judge on the case refused to declare a mistrial.
The judge on the case refused to declare a mistrial.   (Shutter Stock)
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4 comments
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NutsInNY
Jan 31, 09 4:05 PM CST
I am terrified by the notion that, if I were on trial, the "jury of my peers" might include some doofus who wasn't smart enough to get out of jury duty. Reply
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anchower
Jan 31, 09 6:57 PM CST
People who try to get out of jury duty are douchebags. Reply
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Mad
Jan 31, 09 11:14 PM CST
If I ever went on trail, I'd argue I can't be judged by my peers, as my peers would never serve on a jury. Brilliant, huh? Reply
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radnip
Feb 1, 09 4:48 AM CST
"Jury of peers" refers to an idea of our democracy. It's easy to get out of: Just leave this democracy and don't participate...IN a democracy. Reply
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