By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@thecitizennews.com

Record producer turned rapper Jermaine Dupri's chances to avoid a three-day jail sentence for skipping jury duty are getting slimmer.

And to think, he did it all so he could perform in the “Hard Knock Tour” in New York City. And after he had been warned that his previous waiver from jury duty was his last.

Just last week, the Georgia Court of Appeals denied Dupri's appeal of the sentence, which was imposed by Superior Court Judge Christopher Edwards. If he chooses to do so, Dupri's last appeal is with the Georgia Supreme Court.

Dupri, whose last name is actually Mauldin, chose to perform in New York at a previously scheduled concert March 3, 1999, two days after he intially reported for jury duty and was told to re-appear on the third.

Edwards found Dupri guilty of criminal contempt and ordered him to serve a three-day sentence in the Fayette County lockup. In open court, Dupri's attorneys have admitted he has received three jury duty waivers in the past.

But it turns out that after he received another waiver in 1998, Superior Court Judge Johnnie Caldwell said that was Dupri's final reprieve from his public duty.

Dupri's attorneys have said the rapper apologizes for his actions. He offered to serve on another jury, but Edwards said he didn't think it was appropriate for a person in this situation to serve on a jury.

Dupri was originally ordered to report to the jail at 5 p.m., but his attorneys filed a notice of appeal that postponed execution of the order.