Mr. T called for jury duty in Chicago

CHICAGO, April 28 (UPI) -- TV and film star Mr. T showed up for jury duty at Cook County Criminal Court in Chicago and wound up signing autographs and posing for pictures.

Mr. T, 56, born Laurence Tureaud, showed up for jury duty Monday and was instantly recognized by Temeka Cartwright, daughter of defendant Sondra Cartwright, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday.

The "A-Team" and "Rocky III" star wound up signing autographs and taking pictures with the defendant's family, county employees and other potential jurors. He was dismissed along with others who did not make the final jury selection at 4:32 p.m.

"I enjoy doing my civic duty along with my friends I've met," Mr. T said while motioning to the other potential jurors whom he spent about five hours with Monday. "I enjoyed the people that were around me."

"It's not about 'The A-Team;' it's the J-Team -- the jury team," he said.

Cartwright, who is defending herself in the case, is accused of trying to hide drugs from police during a raid on her apartment building.

"If you're innocent, I'm your best man," Mr. T said of his jury duty philosophy. "But if you're guilty, I pity that fool."