House Speaker-Elect Misses Jury Duty
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
House speaker-elect Bill Stovall was summoned
to appear before a Cleburne County judge last month after failing
to appear for jury duty during the summer.
A judge dismissed the case after Stovall explained his absence.
The Cleburne County clerk said Stovall missed an appearance for
potential jury duty July 22nd. Stovall received the notice in
January, amid a special legislative session on education, but
called the wrong county office to avoid duty.
Stovall told The Associated Press he is concerned that people
may think he neglected his duty, but said that is not the case.
Circuit Judge Tim Weaver ordered Stovall`s appearance before him
on August 20th to show why the legislator should not be held in
contempt.
Cleburne County Clerk Karen Giles said Stovall erred by calling
the sheriff`s office instead of the judge to get out of his jury
duty.
Stovall said he believes he did what he was supposed to do, but
recognizes that he should have paid more attention to the
paperwork.
