Potential juror out after profane remark about accused flamingo abuser, judge says

A potential juror was dismissed from the Mitchell Fairbarn animal cruelty trial after being overheard using profanity to describe the defendant. District Judge Jacqueline Bluth said the juror referred to Fairbarn as the “piece of s— that took the flamingo” while speaking to another person in the courthouse hallway.

The juror had previously told the judge he had seen widespread news and social media coverage of the case and could not remain impartial, stating, “It was all over the news, social media, everywhere. I cannot be fair in this case.” Bluth excused him following a bench conference with attorneys.

Fairbarn, 34, of Ontario, Canada, is charged with two counts of animal cruelty related to the March 3 incident in which prosecutors allege he took a flamingo named “Peachy” from its habitat at the Flamingo resort, brought it to his hotel room, and tortured it. He is currently out of custody on high-level electronic monitoring.

After hours of questioning, a jury of six men and eight women was selected. Potential jurors expressed varied views on animals, with some comparing pets to children, others expressing indifference, and one noting experience with domesticated birds but not flamingoes.

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal