Alternate Jury Duty Trumps NFL Draft for NY Giants Owner, a Fordham Law Grad
The owner of the New York Giants tried unsuccessfully yesterday to persuade a federal judge that the upcoming NFL draft took precedence over his work as a fourth alternate juror in a Manhattan drug case.
John Mara, 56, said he had no problem with serving two weeks, but pointed out to U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff that the third week will coincide with the draft, when he needs to be at the office. “I am the president, CEO of the New York Giants, for the ball team,” he said. As Rakoff knew, he also is a Fordham University law graduate, reports the Associated Press.
Rakoff, however, said he would reconsider only if “a real emergency” arises, after also nixing, at least for now, Mara’s argument that he might be needed in the meantime to negotiate if the current lockout ends. The third week of the drug trial, Rakoff noted, will be cut short by Easter and Passover.
