Tuesday, October 1, 1996

Gov. Bush shows up for jury duty By ANNA M. TINSLEY
Harte-Hanks Austin Bureau

AUSTIN - Travis County District Clerk Amalia Rodriguez-Mendoza could hardly believe her eyes Monday morning as she saw Gov. George W. Bush report for duty.

Jury duty, that is.

"This is the first sitting governor I have ever seen come in for jury duty since I've been here," said Rodriguez-Mendoza, district clerk since 1991. "It was a little different but not disruptive."

Flanked by bodyguards, Bush said he was just doing his civic duty. Within an hour, he was assigned to report on Oct. 8 to Travis County Court-at-Law No. 3, where he could be chosen from a pool of potential jurors for a trial.

But the governor believes he probably won't be selected because of his job - which gives him the power to pardon criminals.

"He said he is willing to do his civic duty, but he recognizes that there could be some potential conflicts," said Bush spokeswoman Karen Hughes. "And he recognizes he's the type of juror that defense attorneys may not want. He supports strong punishments."

He reported, along with about 2,000 other Travis County residents, to the City Coliseum at 8:30 a.m. Monday. While waiting for his court assignment, Bush joked with other potential jurors and signed autographs.

Court officials lauded his commitment to doing his part for democracy.

"It shows he's concerned about fulfilling his civic duty," Rodriguez-Mendoza said. "I hope it serves as an example to everyone else."

Bush and other potential jurors listened to about an hour of instructions. When jurors one through 200 were called to get their assignments, Bush cut in line. He was No. 536.

"I have to get to work," he said with a smile.

Bush was summoned for jury duty a few times when he lived in Midland. But he was never picked to serve in a trial, Hughes said.

"He thought it was important Monday to signal that people need to do their civic duty - partly by voting, partly by serving on a jury," Hughes said.

And while court officials were doubtful that Bush would serve on a jury, just the possibility was exciting.

"Everyone would want to be on that jury," Rodriguez-Mendoza said with a laugh.