EVERETT – Juror No. 13 is earning $10 a day, just like everyone else.
Except he’s Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon – chosen for jury duty on a criminal case to the amazement of officials throughout the county, including Reardon.
“I was surprised,” Reardon said. “I thought they would have dismissed me. Attorneys are very picky.”
Instead, a prosecutor and defense attorney kept him as an alternate juror through two days of testimony.
Michael O’Leary / The Herald
The case involves felony first-degree animal cruelty charges against a south Everett man who is accused of shooting a pit bull with a bow and arrow Feb. 13.
“In my personal opinion, no one should ever try to get out of jury duty,” Reardon said.
Reardon’s experience is a rare mixing of the executive and judicial branches. Other county staff members serve on juries, but no one can remember the executive himself being called to serve.
“I’m fulfilling one of many civic responsibilities,” he said.
Two days’ pay, $20, pales compared with his $129,000 annual salary. A 2006 budget proposal would have raised jurors’ pay from $10 to $25 a day, but it didn’t make Reardon’s final cut.
“I think jurors should make more money, but it is part of their civic responsibility and obligation to serve,” he said.
And being Juror No. 13?
“As a joke, 13 has always been my lucky number,” he said. “In football in high school, I always played my best games on Friday the 13th, and swim meets and rugby.”
Reardon was busy with court duties Tuesday and Wednesday, away from other pressing county business except during the early morning and the evening.
“Heckuva way to start the year,” he said with a smile.
Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@heraldnet.com.
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