A local defense lawyer must pay $1,000 to Miller County for failing to show up for a jury trial last Tuesday.

Don Cooksey of Texarkana was scheduled to begin picking a jury in the animal cruelty trial of Harles Fultz before Circuit Judge Kirk Johnson. Deputy Prosecutor Stephanie Black, 55 Miller County citizens reported for jury duty as did witnesses who were subpoenaed to testify.

“This is totally unacceptable,” Johnson said at a “show cause” hearing Cooksey was ordered to attend Thursday morning after he didn’t show for Fultz’ trial. “You could’ve picked up the phone...