R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe managed to get of jury duty this month, citing that he could not be fair or impartial in the case.
Stipe was one of 15 jurors dismissed for a sexual abuse case. The man on trial was accused of sexually assaulting a school girl.The 12 year old girl, a sixth grader, said she was attacked in a restroom by a man who was hiding in a stall.
The claim was that 32 year old Michael Kirt sneaked into Clarke Middle School and tried to rape the girl.
On January 19th, Kirk was convicted by Judge Stephens on 13 counts and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Stripe told Judge Stephens of Athens' Clarke County Court that he himself had been the target of stalkers and that received death threats. He was excused from duty.
