Clinton won't be sworn in

Published on Sunday 2 March 2003 00:00

FORMER US President Bill Clinton has been ruled out of jury service in a case involving a gang shooting in New York.

The 56-year old had filled in a questionnaire sent out to prospective jurors in the case but was rejected because the judge felt his presence at the trial might be a distraction.

When asked to state his previous job, he wrote “President of the United States”.

To the question whether he could be fair and impartial, Clinton replied yes, despite his “unusual experience with the OIC” – a reference to the Office of Independent Counsel, Ken Starr, who nearly succeeded in having him removed from office.

However, Naomi Buchwald, the presiding judge, agreed with the prosecution that William Jefferson Clinton, who was simply referred to as Prospective Juror No 142, should be taken off the list at the court in Manhattan.

The trial, involving a charge of attempted murder after a gang shooting in the Bronx, is due to start tomorrow and Buchwald said if she changed her mind about No 142 then she would let lawyers know then.

Clinton’s lawyer, David Kendall, said: “The former president is subject to jury duty and if selected he would serve.”