Jury resistor faces arrest

SANDPOINT — A bench warrant was issued Friday for a Bonner County man who is resisting jury service because he considers the duty a form of slavery.

Charles Eugene Sandelin failed to appear at an arraignment hearing in contempt-of-court proceedings pending against him. His case file remains sealed because he has yet to make an initial court appearance in the criminal case.

Sandelin, a 68-year-old Baptist minister, has told the court jury duty amounts to unconstitutional "involuntary servitude," records show.

Sandelin received a juror qualification questionnaire in October 2006, but declined to fill it out and return it to the jury commissioner, arguing that doing so would effectively waive his rights as a U.S. citizen.

Contempt proceedings against Sandelin began in April, when he didn't show for a hearing to explain why he should not be held in contempt. At the time, District Judge Steve Verby did not issue a bench warrant for his failure to appear.