Fla. sheriff thanks jurors before they serve, judges tell him to stop

(CBS/AP) PENSACOLA, Fla. - Florida's Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan has been greeting prospective jurors as they board a trolley bound for the federal courthouse, and says he'll continue to do so, even though three federal judges have asked him to stop.

Morgan told the Pensacola News Journal on Monday that he's prepared to take the matter to court.

In a letter dated March 3, judges Roger Vinson, Casey Rodgers and Lacey Collier told the sheriff his interactions with jurors raised concerns about the court's ability to seat impartial juries.

Morgan responded on March 17 that he considers greeting jurors part of his First Amendment rights.

Morgan says he's just "thanking prospective jurors for their public service."

The issue first came to light last year when a defense attorney raised complaints.