His name is Barney, and he’s “presided” over some 20 jury trials in Mineola so far. He’s escaped the jurors’ notice, however, because he never comes out from under the bench.
Barney is an Irish Doodle who Justice Howard Sturim affectionately calls “my partner in crime.” No matter how boring he may find the testimony, Barney never barks or complains. He sleeps peacefully under the bench or plays with the toy he brings into the courtroom.
Justice Howard Sturim’s diabetes service dog, Barney (Photo by David Handschuh/ALM)
