Woman Who Lied to Get on Jury Sentenced

[Champ]

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Many people want to get off jury duty so badly that they consider stretching the truth to do so. Not Celeste Johnson. She lied to get on a jury, and now she's paying the price.

Johnson was sentenced Wednesday by a Superior Court judge to 90 days of home confinement for lying about her criminal record during jury selection for an armed robbery trial.

She was convicted last month of criminal contempt and admits that during jury selection in January, she lied about her arrest record and the arrest records of her family.

Johnson, 39, of Providence, is free on personal recognizance until a hearing next month. She was also ordered to pay a $250 fine.

The armed robbery trial ended in a hung jury in February. Johnson was the only juror voting for acquittal. Assistant Attorney General Bethany Macktaz said she saw Johnson smiling and nodding to the defendant when the verdict was announced.

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