A Florida man selected for jury duty received a sentence of his own after failing to show up for the trial.
"I should have called," Somerville told NBC News."But I was kind of nervous. I also went online to look up what could really happen, and I didn't really see too much there. ... [It looked like] nobody actually ever really went to jail for it." "When a juror is selected and sworn, the administration of justice in this courthouse depends on you following the orders of the court," Kastrenakes said, according to court records, adding that the trial was delayed for almost an hour while the court waited for Somerville.
"I feel like I didn't need any rehabilitation," Somerville said of his probation, stating that his time in jail was rehabilitation enough."I just made a mistake."
So white jurors have never had an unexplained absence in Judge John Kastrenakes‘ courtroom?
And yet, Florida does not bother with even trying to prosecute deadbeat parents who owe 10’s to 100k in child support in violation of state and federal laws? Childhood poverty at 24-31% statewide. But that is not newsworthy....Fla_Pol Connie_Said
Bet if he owed child support the judge would have excused his tardy
If Deandre Somerville had regarded his civic duty more seriously and known the consequences, he may have made certain to be early to court and avoided his poor performance. The lesson is take jury duty seriously and be a responsible adult. Not all mistakes are forgiven.
Somebody shoots his son inlaw no charges; someone overslept..jail time..paradox of life
Judge John Kastrenakes is abusing his judicial power. The way he treated this young man is unacceptable. Deandre is a good citizen with no criminal record. The judge treated him like this because of his race
The judge's reply he was being harsh because Deandre was the only African-American juror and that he needed to be an example for his community is EXACTLY why their is institutional racism in the justice system. More racial inequality and the judge needs to be called out on it.
Judges let rapist go and they put this kid in jail we need to start looking at our judges. Most need to be replaced now.
REALLY!!!! And trump is still president. Smog
I take it the Judge doesn't have an ounce of forgiveness to excuse this young man.
Seems a bit harsh. 😕
Big news.
And yet Democrats ignored subpoenas from Congress with no penalty! Crazy!
Good! Set a fucking alarm.for petesake
Any excuse to jail people, it’s destructive and bad
The Judge Needs to be Removed from the Bench
maybe NBC could do an investigation on how many judges are late for court, and show us how many days they spend in jail for that behavior? let me know if you find a single case!