Philly Phanatic Goes To Jury Duty

Local residents attending jury duty in Philadelphia on Monday received a unique surprise.

Instead of hours of mindless waiting in a cramped lobby, they were welcomed by entertainment and gimmicks from one of sports' most beloved mascots.

The Philly Phanatic, longtime symbol of the Phillies organization, was a surprise guest at court on Monday.

It was part of the launch of Juror Appreciation Week, an event put together by the American Bar Association's Commission on the American Jury.

The Phanatic was joined by Villanova men's basketball coach Jay Wright during the day's festivities. The pair posed with jurors and spread cheer around the courthouse.

And as some fans on Twitter pointed out, the Phanatic performing jury duty in Philadelphia proves that he must be a resident of Philadelphia.

Patch file photo.