Judge: 'Triskaidekaphobia' Not A Reason To Get Out of Jury Duty

Landmark decision finally Sets Precedent for Extremely Rare Made Up Excuse To Skirt Civic Duty
by: Arianna Smith, CHN Legal Analyist, 12:30 PM PST

Bellflower, CA: Triskaidekaphobia or the fear of the number 13, is no longer a valid consideration for dismissal during jury selection according to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge John L. Henning. Henning refused to dismiss Culver City native Desiree Newcomb and instructed that the 'Voir Dire' process continue without further objection.

Newcomb refused to concede the point that 12, not 13, members are selected for the jury in California making her argument moot. Newcomb later acknowledged her even greater fear of the number 12 citing a long story about a carton of rotten eggs that haunts her to this day. The judge agreed that although 'fear of the number 12' is not a recognized clinical phobia; "it would just be easier to exclude someone as annoying as (Ms. Newcomb)" in his courtroom.