Pharma, Policy

5 of the best juror excuses in the Martin Shkreli case thus far

"In this particular case, the only thing I'd be impartial about is what prison he goes to," said a potential juror on day three of Martin Shkreli's high-profile court case, highlighting the challenge of jury selection.

Martin Shkreli invokes his 5th amendment right not to testify during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, February 2016, in Washington, DC.

U.S. District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto is having a tough time with jury selection for Martin Shkreli’s high-profile securities fraud case now underway in Brooklyn, New York.

Matsumoto had hoped to kick things off on Monday, but the notoriety of the accused, along with his now-defunct Twitter handle, seem to be getting in the way.

According to the New York Post, the judge churned through 134 potential jurors on Monday. Another 70 were cast aside on Tuesday, for a total of more than 200 screened and zero approved.

To be fair, a majority were reportedly excused for family, work, or medical issues. And how many Americans will jump at any opportunity to escape from jury duty?

Still, there were some colorful comments and reasons for exclusion (one man even mimed wringing Shkreli’s neck), captured by a pool of reporters privy to the process.

1. “In my head, I said, ‘That’s a snake,’” one woman told attorneys, perhaps the most iconic comment to date.

2. “Honestly? Because he kind of looks like a dick,” another juror said more bluntly, explaining his bias to the judge. The individual was reportedly familiar with Shkreli’s ownership of the sole copy of the Wu-Tang Clan album “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin,” purchased through an online auction in 2015 for $2 million.

3. “He disrespected the Wu-Tang Clan, so…” On a related note, CNBC reported that on day three a potential juror also brought up the issue and the aftermath, in which Shkreli leaked the record.

4. “In this particular case, the only thing I’d be impartial about is what prison he goes to” — another gem from day three.

5. And finally; “I am,” from the man Judge Matsumoto asked directly “Are you concerned for your safety?”  

If chosen, the man had claimed he would be afraid for his safety, given the accused is from his neighborhood in Brooklyn. But earlier in the day he also noted that he had a vacation planned and that he had to ask his wife if they could reschedule.

The man was dismissed, which seems to have annoyed Shkreli’s lawyer: “I don’t think he’s afraid of my client. I think he’s afraid of his wife.”

Matsumoto is shooting for a jury of 12, with six alternates. At the end of day two, the situation was still 0/18, but early reports from day three indicate the judge now has a workable pool of 60 that can subsequently be whittled down.

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

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