Derelict juror must carry sign in front of court

A juror who did not show up for the second day of a murder trial must advertise his dereliction for 90 minutes next week in front of the county court building.

Judge Thomas Stefaniak held 20-year-old juror Michael Leibengood in contempt during a hearing on Tuesday. As part of his punishment, the Cedar Lake man spent three hours in the Lake County Jail and must parade in front of the courthouse next Monday with a sign reading, "I failed to appear for jury duty."

Leibengood had to be replaced by an another juror when he failed to show up for the second day of a trial last spring. He later told the judge he had a flat tire the morning of the trial, but Stefaniak said he didn't believe him.

There was no telephone listing in Leibengood's name in Cedar Lake.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Anon Location: Indiana on Aug 6, 2008 at 10:06 PM
I know people like you Floy. I even know one "tough guy" who DID tell the judge to stick it. After serving enough time in county jail, the guy decided to be a little politer to the judge. And this guy wasn't in his 20's either, but he was in his 40's. Some of you take a little longer to learn, but you eventually do learn that the law is the law, and the judges are the ones who enforce it.

Posted by: mark on Aug 6, 2008 at 07:07 PM
there is allot missing here. why did the judge not believe him? did he show up at all? too many gaps in this story to actually think it is real

Posted by: Elle Location: Indiana on Aug 6, 2008 at 06:15 PM
jury duty is our civic duty? Who are we to JUDGE other ppl and decide if they are guilty or innocent? That's God decision and personally I feel if the judge is in charge why not it be the judge's decision? Sorry if this offends anyone but I couldn't stand it if I wrongly accused someone of something they did not do. Judge not lest ye be judged. People are wrongfully accused in our system and there's always three sides to every story, his side, their side and the TRUTH. JMHO :)

Posted by: Kim Location: South Bend on Aug 6, 2008 at 11:38 AM
I applaud the judge, jury duty is our civic duty, and punishment should be enforced. So, to "Floy from Niles" go ahead and tell a judge to "stick it" and see what happens, I guarantee you will spend more than 3 hours in jail! I bet you don't pay your taxes, either.

Posted by: Floy Location: Niles on Aug 6, 2008 at 08:02 AM
I would tell the judge to take his sign and stick it where the sun don't shine. You can give me jail time but you are not going to take my dignity away. We are not in the 1600's we punish people for their crimes not make them a town clown to laugh and point fingers at. Judge you might scare a 20 year old boy to do this but i'm a man and it won't work on me. I don't scare that easy. Micheal, be a man and don't show up for this either!! Let them get their laughs some place else.

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