Madonna excused from jury duty to avoid 'creating a distraction'

NEW YORK, July 8 (UPI) -- Madonna was excused from jury duty in New York City after officials determined she would be too much of a distraction for the other jurors.

The Material Girl, 55, allegedly waited for two hours separate from the other prospective jurors, to learn she would not be called to serve.

After her dismissal, the spokesman for the state court system David Bookstaver, said her appearance "really goes to show that everyone gets called." He said the singer was let go because "The intent here was not to create a distraction to other jurors or the business of the court.''

Bookstaver explained Madonna was kept in a different room to avoid the expense of stationing extra police officers in the common room.

Other celebrities to have been called to serve for jury include Tom Hanks -- who was famously involved in a reduced charge sentence in 2013 -- Sarah Jessica Parker and Barbara Walters.