Unwilling Juror Threatened Him, Official Says

ST. LOUIS (CN) - A woman who didn't want to have to serve jury duty allegedly threatened to shoot a St. Louis Circuit Court official. Zynthia L. Holmes, 35, spent two nights in jail, charged with misdemeanor harassment. She was released on her promise to appear in court.

Holmes allegedly asked Jury Supervisor Mike Devereaux to excuse her from duty in January because she had no child care. He agreed, but said she needed to complete her duty. Holmes chose Feb. 22 as the day to complete her service.

Holmes showed up on Feb. 22, but did not return to the courtroom after lunch, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Officials said she asked to leave, again citing child-care concerns, and was told she'd have to return the next day.

Holmes then allegedly went to Devereaux's office sobbing, and threatened to shoot him after he told her that she had to complete her service.

"I was kind of stunned," Devereaux told the Post-Dispatch. "I've seen a lot of people upset about jury service, but nobody in my experience has ever threatened me."

Devereaux has worked with the courts for 19 years.

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