Judge puts jury duty shirker in restraints

HOUSTON, April 28 (UPI) -- The father of a Texas 19-year-old who was taken to court in chains for failing to show up for jury duty says he plans to sue over his daughter's treatment.

U.S. District Judge David Hittner said Kelsey Gloston, a freshman at Lone Star College's Cy-Fair campus, appeared in federal court one day last week during the jury selection process and didn't make an argument to be dismissed, the Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday.

However, when a clerk called Monday to ask why she hadn't returned, she said she had a flat tire and was planning to go to class rather than continue with jury duty.

Hittner had Gloston picked up and taken to his courtroom in ankle and wrist restraints.

"You in effect went right at the jury folks and said you'd have nothing to do with it," Hittner told Gloston Tuesday. "I'm going to hear exactly what your problem is with jury duty and what your problem is with how our country operates."

The judge told Gloston he will hear her explanation Thursday, after she secures legal representation. He said the student, who was released until the hearing, may be charged with contempt of court.

Darrell Gloston, the student's father, said he is frustrated at his daughter's treatment at the court's hands and plans to file a lawsuit on her behalf.

"Don't treat her like she murdered 25 people along the freeway," he said. "She's 19, she's ignorant, she's a kid. They don't take anything seriously."