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Lewinsky excused from doing jury duty

The Associated Press
Friday June 07, 2002

NEW YORK — Monica Lewinsky was excused from jury duty Thursday after she tearfully said she could not serve. 

Lewinsky, 28, reported for duty to the Manhattan state Supreme Court building with other prospective jurors Thursday. She was questioned by attorneys choosing a jury for a personal injury lawsuit against the city, said Vincent Homenick, chief clerk of the jury division for Manhattan courts. 

When asked by an attorney if she could be fair, the handbag designer and former White House intern replied that she could not serve as a juror, Homenick said. Lewinsky became teary-eyed when one of the two attorneys continued to question her, Homenick said. 

The attorneys approached Judge Howard Bell, who had not been in the room during the questioning, and asked that she be excused. Bell excused her shortly before lunch, Homenick said. Lewinsky spokeswoman Lynn Goldberg did not immediately return a telephone message Thursday.