Judge Apologizes for Jailing Juror

A Bronx judge apologized for ordering a prospective juror to spend 15 days in jail for contempt after telling the judge he didn’t like his attitude. John Wichmann was handcuffed and placed in a holding cell. A higher-ranking judge set him free within an hour, calling the sentence excessive. “I wish to acknowledge that I may have overreacted,” state Supreme Court Judge Alexander Hunter said at a news conference. Wichmann told the New York Post he met with Hunter in his chambers to ask if he could be excused because of a possible conflict. Hunter greeted him by snapping, “What’s your story?” the newspaper reported. Wichmann was ordered to jail after he told Hunter his attitude was “condescending.”