Juror jailed for judicial insult

OCALA, Fla., July 15 (UPI) -- A potential juror who cursed at a Florida judge and ended up in jail says she was upset because she didn't want to perform jury duty.

Sarah Muller, 23, of Summerfield, Fla., told the Ocala (Fla.) Star-Banner from her Marion County Jail cell that when County Judge James McCune Jr. refused to dismiss her from a jury pool Monday, she got upset and called the judge a crude, two-word name referring to the anus.

"I just didn't want to do jury duty. That's the best excuse there was," Muller said, adding, "Sometimes I get upset and I say things. I didn't know I would go to jail for freedom of speech."

The Star-Banner said Muller first attempted to explain to the judge she had a medical condition that needed constant attention. When that didn't sway McCune, she said she was "a racist" and so should be disqualified. McCune denied her dismissal once again, at which point Muller insulted him and was jailed on a criminal contempt charge.

Asked if she had any advice for other would-be jurors, Muller said, "Don't say any cuss words at all. Maybe even 'damn' will get you kicked out."

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