Thursday, September 21, 2017

Trial delayed after only half of prospective jurors show
For the second time in just over a year, a major Cocke County Circuit Court trial was delayed Wednesday because of a lack of jurors. James Pate Williams, 45, Parrottsville was scheduled to go on trial on arson and first degree murder charges however fewer than half of the 68 potential jurors notified by Circuit Court Clerk Peggy Lane came to court. Judge Duane Slone talked to the jurors who did come to court, saying if they come to court, there should be work to do. "There is a situation that came up today, that in the interest of justice we can't have the trial today. I apologize for that. You 30 potential jurors cared enough about your community and your duty to that community that you showed up today; unlike like the others that were supposed to be here today that chose to not do that. That is not right." He said the government can demand military service as well as jury service and both are equally important to the American way of life. So will the prospective jurors who didn't show up be held in contempt of court? "A total of 38 prospective jurors did not show up for jury duty. Our clerk notified them sufficiently and that is of great concern to the court and I am going to consider what if any sanctions the court might impose on those people that did not show up, including being held in contempt of court." In June of last year the trial for Shannon Haney, charged with two counts of rape, also had to be postponed because of a lack of jurors.


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