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Man who chose jail over jury duty made 'a big mistake'

By GINA PACE
Published February 24, 2007

LAND O'LAKES - All Daniel Harrell could think about in Judge Wayne Cobb's courtroom Tuesday was being someplace else.

He wanted to renew his passport in preparation for his planned March trip to Costa Rica's beaches and rain forests. He wanted to be at his job, cutting concrete at $12.50 an hour so he could make his Jeep payment.

Jail wasn't one of the places on Harrell's list. But that's where he'd go, for 15 days, Cobb warned, if he didn't fulfill his obligation as a juror. Fine, said Harrell, and Cobb slapped him with a contempt charge.

Harrell, 19, said he figured he'd be able to pay his bail and get out that first night. He said Friday through the glass panel of a jail visitation room that he was shocked to learn two things: Not only that there would be no bail but his stubbornness also had earned him a felony on his otherwise clean record.

"I don't mind sitting in here for 15 days," Harrell said. "But a felony will ruin my life."

Harrell's mother, Vicki, said her son didn't understand the consequences of his actions.

"He's a young kid who still lives with his mom and dad," Mrs. Harrell said. "He didn't know this would mess up his career and his future."

The family has hired an attorney, she said, but she wouldn't give her name. Mrs. Harrell told the St. Petersburg Times her son was giving an interview against the attorney's advice. Harrell is scheduled to appear before Cobb in mid-March - after his 15 days are completed, she said.

Mrs. Harrell said she's worried about the kind of people in jail with her son, but Daniel said that everyone has been nice and is surprised that he got put in jail for refusing to serve on a jury.

The worst part about being in jail, he said, is the noise that makes him unable to sleep.

His friends would be shocked, he said, that he went to jail. He was the good kid, the one who never got into trouble.

So what did he hate so much about sitting on a jury?

"I couldn't handle sitting in there listening to other peoples' problems," he said.

He wouldn't say more about the civil case because Cobb had forbidden it. Harrell wanted to make clear that he respects Cobb and understands the judge was just doing his job. He said other people summoned for jury duty should make sure they serve.

"It was a big mistake," he said.

Times research Cathy Wos contributed to this report. Gina Pace can be reached at 352 521-6518 or toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6518. Her e-mail address is gpace@sptimes.com

[Last modified February 23, 2007, 21:04:54]