JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG

WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL RICHARD E GERSTEIN JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG. THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO JUSTICE BUILDING RUMOR, HUMOR, AND A DISCUSSION ABOUT AND BETWEEN THE JUDGES, LAWYERS AND THE DEDICATED SUPPORT STAFF, CLERKS, COURT REPORTERS, AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WHO LABOR IN THE WORLD OF MIAMI'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE. POST YOUR COMMENTS, OR SEND RUMPOLE A PRIVATE EMAIL AT HOWARDROARK21@GMAIL.COM. Winner of the prestigious Cushing Left Anterior Descending Artery Award.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

A TRAFFICKING STORY

UNCONFIRMED REPORTS ARE THAT THE DEFENDANT WAS CONVICTED OF POSSESSION. Thus depriving the prosecution of their pound of flesh, or in this case 25 pounds (years).

UPDATED WITH LINK TO THE CURRENT HERALD ARTICLE
further bulletins as news breaks.

Another example of Justice Building Justice, as our intrepid Herald reporter Oh Susannah Nesmith, (back from an editing stint) reports on the trial of Joaquin Decantor for trafficking drugs.

The article is
HERE

The defense: his car broke down and before he walked home he grabbed his girlfriend’s prescription medicine to take home to her.
The penalty: A 25 year prison minimum mandatory.

If the defense facts are true- if this man was arrested and charged while having his girlfriend’s prescription on him as he walked home, the SAO and every member therein should hang their heads in shame. The prosecutor should resign, and Kathy Fernandle should be replaced. IF the facts are true.


To subject a human being in this scenario to a quarter century of prison on these set of facts bespeaks of a prosecutor’s office so out of control, so out of touch with reality, so afraid of their own shadow, so unable to do justice, that Janet Reno’s picture should be removed from their lobby. Because Ms. Reno would NEVER EVER allow a case like this to be filed, much less tried.

IF the facts are true.

Let's hope the PD trying the case will be getting one of those "VICTORY" emails from our intrepid FACDL Miami Chapter president Barry Wax.

See You In Court.

(careful readers will note I edited the last paragraph because I split an infinitive, which is a no-no.)

91 comments:

Anonymous said...

wow. what drug & in what quantity did his alleged "girlfriend" happen to have sitting around in her car to earn him a 25-year MM?

Anonymous said...

Did the PD win or its in trial now?

I like KFR. I hope the facts are not true as I adore KFR and it would break my heart.

Anonymous said...

Assistant Public Defender Jorge Viera I hope you win this one.

Now to the big shot lawyers out there "Roy Black" and the rest, this would be your que to offer your services pro bono.

Anonymous said...

Oh please, doesn't the goverment have enough ways of wasting our tax dollars?
Do you mean to tell me that if I go and pick up my elderly father's medication, I can be charged with drug trafficking????
When is this going to end? Doesn't the legal system have enough with the overload of cases already on their docket?
Geez...get real.

Anonymous said...

ridiculous! don't these people have some REAL criminals to pursue?

Anonymous said...

Stop already with this drug war nonsense, who cares who has what pills, I don't. Tying up the courts, filling up jails, costing a fortune, for what? And then to pick on a guy with one little bottle of pills, we are making ourselves crazy

Anonymous said...

I can't even believe what I've just read. With so many real drug traffickers that roam the streets of Miami, this is ridiculous making this man go through this for a bottle of pills.

I pick up prescription medication every so often for my elderly friend who can't drive due to old age. I guess I now need to watch my back. Please people get a life.

Anonymous said...

What Judge has this case. I want to see this Judge deny a motion for aquittal. I want to see the State appeal the Judges granting of said motion.

Stop with this trial and file a motion to dismiss. I do not know one Judge on the 3rdDCA that would reverse the Judge for dismissing the case.

I am just sick to my stomack

Rumpole said...

I'm going to guess it's an oxyxcontin pain killer drug.

Anonymous said...

Yes,if the fact are true KFR is showing the lack of control and guidance to her office.But most who read this blog know full well,we do not know the facts.Often times the facts do not even make it to the courtroom during the trial
If during the trial it appears the facts as suggested by the defense are true,the defndant should be acquitted.If not then the defendant may be found guilt.If the facts are as the defense suggests and not refuted by the state the court/judge may very well grant a JOAand then Ms.Rundle may have big problems.
We should wait and see.Unfortunately our system is not perfect but is the best in the world.Elsewhere the defendant is presumed guilty:here at least the defendant has a chance.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know if the defendant is out on bail or sitting behind bars?

Anonymous said...

Oh my god, this guy is screwed.

His case is in front of none other than Jackie Scola. Gee, I can see the JOA being granted right now. Yeah, right.

I've had cases against ASA Forrest Andrews and he is a straight up guy and a reasonable ASA. He is not the type to go forward on a b.s. case. That being said, he is in the Narcotics unit, so this has David Paulus (A/K/A Dr. No) written all over it.

In any event, the Herald article is a bit devoid on facts so I'll assume there is some deeper story here. If you ran the story as a blind article, you would think this case was in Broward.

Anonymous said...

If the facts as represented here have a small CHANCE of being true, then the case ought to have been dumped.

Go Jorge!

Anonymous said...

Mr. Paulus, your swastika is showing...

Anonymous said...

Former asa here- if this is true this is an embarrasment and shocking. one of Kathy's best moves was in the mid 1990's when she disbanded the narcotics unit and doubled the size of career criminal to go after robbers and ho's--the same cases rumpole and the rest of you bithces whine about when the state wont give a10 time burglar 364. she should do this again, the entire drug war in dade county is a fraud. David Paulus makes every defense attorney wait 2 years before breaking down cases and everyone knows that eventually the state will waive on 85 percent of the cases. in those 2 years time is wasted depos are taken and paid for that didnt need to happen and money is wasted. The cops go out and set up losers only so that they can seize money in these pathetic reverse stings instead of taking drugs off the street.

it is truly a waste of time and if Kathy doesnt have the bodies to staff courtrooms because of budget cuts she should start by disbanding the narcotics section and assigning those asa's to go after violent criminals.

Anonymous said...

This case is being tried by Judge Scola. I remember talking to Mark Morris about it when he was trying to get his client's bond reduced from the "standard bond" trafficking amount.

Anonymous said...

Marc Morris and Jorge Viera are the PD's on this. Scola is the Judge. I don't know if this is true or not, but I heard the defendant's fiance has a terminal liver disease. She took the stand today.

Anonymous said...

The other apd on the case Marc Morris is a former narcotics ASA. Marc is an excellent attorney!

Anonymous said...

The defendant's bond was not reduced from 500K and nebbia????

Anonymous said...

Thank God. A case that will finally publicly expose the Miami Dade State Attorney's Office for what it has become..... a joke. Too bad for the good ASA's still there. It appears there is no leadership from the top anymore.
Prosecuting an individual for having his girlfriends meds in a labled prescription bottle under a 25 year min man statute is a disgusting abuse of discretion. The statute was obviously not created for these facts and to try to convince a jury this man was trafficking is really against all principals of fairness and ethics.
The prosecutors know the jury won't know about the min man when they deliberate...

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:

STATE V. JOAQUIN DECANTOR

Case Number F07-35684

Public Defenders:
Marc Morris
Jorge Viera

Mr. Decantor is 33 years old and he has no prior arrest history in Miami Dade County. He was arrested on October 11, 2007 and was charged with six counts:

1. Drug Trafficking
$500,000
2. Disorderly Conduct
$5,000
3. Poss. Cont. Sub.
$5,000
4. Poss, Cont. Sub.
$4,500
5. Poss. Cont. Sub.
$500
6. Alcohol Public
$000

Bond is $511,000. Counts 4-6 were No Actioned.

APD Morris filed a Motion To Reduce Bond on February 26, 2008. It was Denied.
Morris filed a Motion To Suppress Evidence on April 8, 2008. It was Denied.

Query: What was the compelling evidence that convinced Judge J. Scola that Mr. Decantor was a risk of flight and/or a danger to the community such that he still has a $511,000 bond?

Remember, that it only takes 7 pills to make the case a trafficking case.

CAPTAIN OUT .....

Anonymous said...

Hey Captain is Judge Scola up for election in the fall? If she is I will be filing to run against her.

Anonymous said...

2008 General Election
Circuit Judge
Circuit 11 Group 64

Jacqueline Hogan Scola
Incumbent

Who will file papers against Judge Scola just for being a _________.

Anonymous said...

Rumpole you think that story is bad, try a man in a wheel chair with cronic pain getting 25 years not for trafficking but for using them.

Now he sits in a Florida prison getting time released drips of morpine for his cronic pain caused by a 1994 car accidents.

Read the story here:

http://www.reason.com/news/show/35695.html

Anonymous said...

I thought someone was running against scola?

Now it's time

Anonymous said...

Davis Paulus is one of the most unreasonable human beings to ever trod the face of the earth. KFR needs to get a reaonable person to direct that unit.

Anonymous said...

True story. I had an individual call my office yesterday because a Det. Reynoso from the Coral Gables Police Dept was threatening to arrest him. The story goes like this- the young man was caught over a year ago with a misd. amount of marijuana in his car. The cops (inexplicably) gave him a pass. They took his photo and all his info. Several weeks ago this det. starts calling him and threatening him with an arrest for the dope from last year unless........"you give me a name, give me someone to arrest!!!" What a sad state of affairs. This is what the police are trained to do? Is it laziness or stupidity? I think it is a by-product of a combination of the two along with the idiotic prosecution techniques and policies of Mr. David Paulus and the other geniuses at the SAO "Narco Unit" Whatever happened to investigative legwork?

Anonymous said...

I have a travel container for my medications. One is dextroamphetamine (Adderall). I don't carry my prescription bottles because they are bulky and I prefer my coworkers not know what I'm taking.

It's nice to know KFR would take me down for possession.

Anonymous said...

Whats sad about this case, is that the herald article today was the first KFR knew about the case.

That office has lost complete credibility, from top down.

Anonymous said...

Seriously, someone needs to run against Jacqueline Hogan Scola. I would do it myself, however, I have not been an attorney for five years and I have no desire to be a judge. I was more than upset when she sent me a campaign donation letter after the way she has treated me in court.

Rumpole said...

I'm not bragging, but Augusta is beautiful this time of year. And expensive.

Anonymous said...

I'm curious. How many of you passing judgment on the "facts" of this case have actually walked in the door of the courtroom and listened to any of the testimony? I haven't either, so I'm not about to pass judgment on whether or not the State has a good case or the defendant is being unfairly prosecuted. It's so funny that you all put down Susannah Nesmith and the Herald for mistakes in reporting when you don't like what is printed, but you all accept as the gospel those things published in the Herald that enable you to climb up onto your soapbox and denounce the State and the judge. Passing judgment without knowing all of the facts both in aggravation and mitigation--isn't that what you're always accusing your opposition of doing? If it's not right to do that, it's not right in any situation.

Anonymous said...

Hey, I once picked up prescription drugs for my dog and gave them to him.

Does that make me a criminal?

Anonymous said...

KATHY, WALK IN THAT COURTROOM NOW AND NOLLE PROS THAT DAMN CASE - ENOUGH!

Anonymous said...

Fact check:
The defendant on the trafficking case was in the middle of Ocean Drive at 1:20 a.m. obstructing traffic. He was carrying a beer, but seemed too stoned to be on beer alone. Police got called because cars had to swerve around him. He had FIVE pill bottles on him, but three were empty (used or sold, you decide).

In one bottle were 96 OXY and in the other were 10 Vicodin. No car, no girlfriend, and totally wasted.

Defense position -- no deal possible, we want a trial. Sometimes you get what you ask for.

Anonymous said...

I have never appeared before Judge Jacqueline Scola, I take no position on whether someone should or shouldn't run against her. I do think those attacking her for not granting a motion to dismiss or JOA are barking up the wrong tree. The law as written by the legislature appears to allow this type of ridiculous prosecution. Blame the SAO for prosecuting the case, but it is unfair to blame the Judge. The Fla Supremes affirmed the 2d DCA, who affirmed the trial judge, in the case out of town involving the main in the wheelchair. It took intervention by Gov. Crist to get the man out of jail. The trial judge said his hands were tied, the 2d DCA said its hands were tied, and the Supremes agreed. ALL said it was up to the prosecutor's to use better discretion or the legislature to amend the law.

Anonymous said...

From the Miami Herald Article:
Assistant State Attorney David Kahn said he had to rely on the statutes.

''When the Legislature writes this, it's not for me to question,'' he said, holding a statute book.

Gee, sounds to me like the defense of "I was just following orders."

Where have I heard that before????

Anonymous said...

I have a sneaking suspicion some facts may have been left out of the description of the case posted by the Heralda dn on this blog. O, and Im sure it helped the Defendant's cause quite a bit that his attorney filed the motion to supress on the day of trial while a speedy demand was pending. Now thats what I call good lawyering!

Anonymous said...

This case is typical behavior of KFR and her leadership in the office. IF a case is filed, there must be a plea or trial. The office will rarely KNP a case.

See KFR does not realize that discovery is intended not only to build a defense, but flush out the truth of the facts at hand. If the discovery shows that indeed the drugs were a legitimate prescription medication, then KNP. However, if the discovery did not show this, then hell no go to trial.

I recall a case where the victim had 1000 conflicts in her initial statement to police, statement during prefile, statement in deposition, and statements to other ASAs and to me during trial prep. I would not move forward with the case. I had to beg for a non-jail and non ADJ plea. Defendant had no priors and the alleged victim was crazy. Defendant was charged with sex battery (no intercourse, no touching below the waste). The panties were not even removed.

I yelled at the victim because I knew she was lying, so I got yelled at for treating the victim so poorly. Basically the defendant was the victim.

Jason Grey, remember?

Anonymous said...

Speaking of drug cases.....I'm a former ASA that left Miami several years ago but heard about Danny Fernandez and Joe Losada being arrested back in '06 for planting/stealing evidence, false police reports, etc....
What ever happened to them? Just googled it and can't find any info. Are they set for trial at least?? Any info would be appreciated.

Anonymous said...

This just in. Captain, I've got you beat. As of one hour ago, a guy by the name of Ian J. Richards (see www.IanRichards.com)filed to run against Judge Deluca in Broward for a County Court seat. Who the hell is this guy? He was admitted in 2002 and appears to specialize in "Door law," never turning away anyone who walks through his door with even a quasi legal matter and $50. Deluca is one of the most respected judges in Broward. Wrong judge and wrong guy. Someone who knows him needs to tell him to back off.

Anonymous said...

Your comment doesn't necessarily mean that you are there, Rump.

Anonymous said...

I have a great idea lets post the Judges who allow such crap to proceed to trial.

KFR, make a statement let me know you have personally reviewed this case and have Nolle prossed.

Anonymous said...

Rumpole, the Miami Herald has removed your link to the story?

Anonymous said...

Rumpole here is the Herald's new link:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/story/489957.html

Anonymous said...

Jackie Scola is a real bad judge. She pushes everyone around, is rude to people and makes it clear that she is not interested in what either side has to say.

What a shame as out of court she is a very nice person.

I hope someone runs against her.

Anonymous said...

Update Herald Story:

Decantor's fiancée, Cara Lee Hardcastle, testified the pills -- an almost full bottle of hydrocodone and a bottle with a few tablets of diazepam -- were hers. Her name is on each of the bottles. Decantor, a percussionist, was carrying two others for medicines that did not violate trafficking laws.

Decantor's attorney questions why the State Attorney's Office was bothering to prosecute him.

''This law is for selling drugs on the street,'' Viera said. ``This is not what the Legislature intended.''

But Assistant State Attorney David Kahn said he had to rely on the statutes.

''When the Legislature writes this, it's not for me to question,'' he said, holding a statute book.

Anonymous said...

Why isn't he given the benefit of doubt? It's his girl friend's drugs, who's dying of cancer. Unless there's is more to this, stop wasting our tax money and destroying the defendant's life.

Anonymous said...

Looks to me like the state should save its resources for prosecuting the real bad guys, which there are plenty of. The prosecutor should be ridiculed and fired on the spot for bringing such a ridiculous charge to trial. Maybe he's incompetent at going after real drug dealers and needs to make up for it by going after some obviously innocent regular guy. What a waste.

Anonymous said...

This is a belated April Fool's Joke by the State Attorney's Office right?

Shame on the State Attorney

Anonymous said...

Aren't you glad that we're wasting whatever Viera makes in a year? We could have had a prosecutor who cared as much for the SPIRIT of the law as its letter. Instead, we have an idiot like viera.

Anonymous said...

word on the street is that the Kotsin Motions have been re-worked by fake blecher and fake fake hersch and are set for en banc in broward.

its the ruy lopez gambit that will carry the day.

Anonymous said...

Rumpole, you're actually at the Masters golf tournament watching Tiger Woods?

Anonymous said...

The prosecutor made an excellent point in closing that the defendant WAS yelling in the middle of traffic, I mean, isn't that the smoking gun?

Idiots.

Anonymous said...

3:48 hey genius, mr viera is the defense attorney, not the prosecutor. good to see how informed you are

Anonymous said...

Captain, I trust you are readying your story on who raised what in this quarter and who didnt file their report.

Can you please comment on how desperate Abby Cynamon must be to become a judge that she loaned herself 300 grand?

Some others didn't raise too much......

Anonymous said...

VERDICT

Guilty of two lessers... poss of hydrocodone and poss of valium...

Sentencing is 5/29

Anonymous said...

Breaking News... check this out

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/491020.html

Anonymous said...

Someone cannot read and stated:

"Anonymous said...
I have never appeared before Judge Jacqueline Scola, I take no position on whether someone should or shouldn't run against her. I do think those attacking her for not granting a motion to dismiss or JOA are barking up the wrong tree. The law as written by the legislature appears to allow this type of ridiculous prosecution. Blame the SAO for prosecuting the case, but it is unfair to blame the Judge. The Fla Supremes affirmed the 2d DCA, who affirmed the trial judge, in the case out of town involving the main in the wheelchair. It took intervention by Gov. Crist to get the man out of jail. The trial judge said his hands were tied, the 2d DCA said its hands were tied, and the Supremes agreed. ALL said it was up to the prosecutor's to use better discretion or the legislature to amend the law.

Thursday, April 10, 2008 11:50:00 AM

NEWS FLASH - The Judge denied a reduce bond request and the guy is sitting in jail since Oct with a half million dollar bond. So the Judge is off the hook right? NOT!!!

Anonymous said...

and I'm sure there's NO chance that the girlfeiend is lying to save her boyfriend's ass!

Anonymous said...

SHUMIE BEHIND MANSION MEELEE!! Apparently the whole truth is now unfolding. My two sons had the opportunity to witness the what can best described as the "Mansion Meelee". It seems that Shumie had organized a soiree with some of his nesfarious high school pals from Hebrew Academy. A shout fight erupted with the University of Delaware students as they sang their universty fight song. The Shumie contingent began singing a deafening version of Ha-Tik-Vah much to the dismay of the Delaware crew. Needless to say, the Mansion bouncers were clearly intimidated by the Shumie's Semetic Possee. More details to follow...

Anonymous said...

This addresses the comments made by anonymous on Thursday, April 10, at 3:48 P.M.:

The commenter is in error. JORGE VIERA IS THE ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER on this case, not the assistant state attorney to whom anonymous refers to as "an idiot".

Pls. get your facts correctly before insulting an individual.

Anonymous said...

According to an observer of the closings, Scola shut down the defense when they tried to argue that in applying the state's theory, anyone carrying or picking up meds for a family member would be subject to arrest and prosecution.

This guy never had a chance in that courtroom.

Anonymous said...

Hey 2:47 p.m, you are so right!

Judge DeLuca is one of the nicest, fairest and most accomodating Judges around.

For us Miami guys, he will allow you to PHONE in your case instead of traveling up to Deerfield.

There is no logic by someone running against him other than the challenge is because he is somehow "vulnerable"

"Vulnerable" to someone that is not familiar with this toilet known as "South Florida" means that you are the wrong race, creed or ethnicity.

Anybody practicing law for only 6 years has simply not seen enough and lived enough to be a Judge. I am doing this for 21 years and I believe that I am very qualified to be an advocate but not really lived enough to Judge another human being.

Maybe I respect the bench too much and do not think of it as just a job.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone in the State Attorney's Office ever had possession of a family member's prescription medication? (besides Kathy)

Anonymous said...

If 11:50 A.M.s'suggestions of the fact are correct the case is not improperly filed.Many and not aqll facts will be presented at trial.Then we all can cast our opinions as the jury is deliberating.96 pills?under one prescription is an unusually high amount.Walking in the middle of even Ocean Drive hindering traffic and appearing under the influence of something...Well these are also only the words we here at this time.
I do not believe KFR runs a great office and she really leaves the office up to her "administrators" but this may or not be a legitmate prosecution.
Do not blame Judge Scola either.Once again,we know not what the defense has or has not filed.We know none of the true facts yet we criticize the prosecution,judge yet not the defense.
For those of you suggesting you picked up drugs for family members or even your pets:how many of you had alledgedly 96 plus pill in your possession,or was it more like 30.I have had cases for no prescription and the state enterred a nolle prosequi upon presntation of a legitmate prescription and or on first offense with no appropriate defense motions available been able to work out P.T.I.Why not here?Perhaps facts we do not know or perhaps a public defender not doing what is in his clients best interest and the P.D.wanting another trial under his belt.
Many points of view,yet who knows which is correct.I most assuredly do not know,nore do you.
So,enough is enough!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

If the defendant was found guilty of possession of drugs, like many of our other defendants, shouldn't he be placed on probation or be given CTS? That seems like the fair thing to do. I hope the State will not be asking for time just because he was originally charged with trafficking. We should respect the jury's verdict.
Anonymous Circuit Court Judge

Anonymous said...

to:

Thursday, April 10, 2008 8:08:00 PM

You are correct and I am so sorry.

Anonymous said...

Who represented (or represents) Dontrelle Willis in his DUI case and (part 2 of my question), what happened (or is happening) with his case?

Anonymous said...

what the article also does not tell you is if the defendant has a drug history and if the girlfriend was getting the drugs for her boyfriend, these class of drugs (oxycontin, vicodan etc) is a substitute for heroin.. Many drug addicts have figured out that if you get in an accident and have an xray you can walk into any pain management clinic (south florida is the capitol of these places) and walk out with theequivelent of legalized heroin andin some cases the gov't pays for it.. IT is a sin, look on the back of any new times magazine you'll see pages of these pain management clinics advertising not just "pain relief" but also detox.. only addicts need detox.. look at the bigger picture folks.. what you whould be mad at is medicaid wil pay thousands a moth for this legalized heroin but certain cancer drugs they will not pay for...Srug addicts from all over the Unites states come to south florida pain clinics,.. next time you pass a pain clinic, look at the tags in it's parking lot... THis is because south florida is so lacking in regulation of these very dangergous drugs.. can you say daniel and anna nicole smith???

Anonymous said...

The worst part is that if this guy with no priors had been charged with simple possession he would be in drug court. Now he is a convicted felon.

Anonymous said...

OMG. JACK THOMPSON JUST GOT SPANKED BY RUMPOLE ON THE FEDERAL BLOG.

MY MAN!

Anonymous said...

The P.D. wants another trial under his belt 8:40? Yeah, sure..... they don't have any other cases to try. So they push a case with a 25 yr min man? No pressure there. If you were a defense attorney you would never want to try a case like this... what if that jury convicts? They don't know about the min man.

But you are an ASA a few years out of law school and you actually try to justify a prosecution like this because you are working with a bunch of other inexperienced brain dead lawyers who are afraid to do anything with a case unless it is approved by someone over in Oz. The cases that need attention are left to be handled by at least 3 ASA's before a resolution while cases that are dogs suck up all the resources.

Anonymous said...

Whats Rush Limbaugh think of this?

Anonymous said...

i'am at a COMPLETE loss for words with this case, something just doesn't ADD UP, sounds like something VERY personal against this defendant.

Anonymous said...

In their closing arguments, prosecutors urged the jury to convict Decantor.

''We can't forget that he was in the middle of traffic, the fact that he was yelling at traffic, the fact that he was causing a danger,'' Andrews said.

''This case is more than just having a loved ones prescriptions,'' Assistant State Attorney Forrest Andrews said.

Decantor's attorney, Marc Morris told the jury his client should never have been charged.

''The only thing that is clear in this case is that the government is completely abusing its power in applying the law to my client,'' Morris told the jury. The prosecutors objected and Circuit Judge Jacqueline Hogan Scola ruled the comment should be stricken from the record.

Morris continued, calling what Decantor did ``an honest mistake.''

''Would it be a good idea to get the prescription drugs of your dying fiancée and take them with you so nobody takes them?'' Morris asked the jury. ``He was doing the right thing. That's the problem here.''

Anonymous said...

ALLRIGHT STOP, COLLABORATE AND LISTEN, ICE IS BACK WITH....

a DV charge in Broward.

Anonymous said...

Former ASA here-

Assuming there was no surprise evidence that the drugs in this case were not of a total weight less than the trafficking amount, then a guilty verdict on simple possession is a clear jury nullification. Thankfully, some jury must have known that the trafficking would bring some major penalty.

C'mon Paulus, could you really have slept well knowing that some guy with NO PRIORS on this type of case would serve a quarter century of prison time (day for day, no less) for this case? Get real. You need to spend some time prosecuting career criminals and see who really deserves hard time.

Anonymous said...

Great, I have to go pick up my 2 kids' prescriptions today. I'm gonna make sure to drive the speed limit the whole way back. Maybe I'll hide the prescription bottles in my big sack of weed right under my sawed off shotgun under my car-seat.

Anonymous said...

fact check at 11:50 is absolutely correct. why the venom for jackie scola? i have always found her to be smart, fair and courteous. maybe no bob scola, but still better than average.

Anonymous said...

So what is the over/under on Scola sentance?

Anonymous said...

"Hoaxes are cyclical in the world of the internet. We'll probably hear about a "global warming crisis" in another five years."

- Mike Ross, Bailiff to County Court Judge Pooler, in an email sent to all judges and court staff.


Yes, Mr. Ross, hoaxes are cyclical in the world of the internet. But your stupidity will last a lifetime.

Anonymous said...

Herald Reports: Justice Cantero has resigned.

Anonymous said...

Justice Cantero Resigns!

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/04/cantero-calls-i.html

Anonymous said...

After spending two painful days in Broward I must say that despite this possible lack of judgement by the miami sao, I wouldn't trade them for the world. For the most part we deal with reasonable, fair prosecutors who listen to what we have to say. In Broward they are rude, unreasonable jerks. Say what you will, but I'll take KFR and her crew any day.

Anonymous said...

Jackie Scola always smart, fair and courteous? Where? Not in the courtroom.

Anonymous said...

Bobby Reiff is the defense attorney on the Dontrell Willis case. the State offered a break-down plea, but then WITHDREW it!
The main witness on Dontrell's case is very shaky!

Anonymous said...

According to the blog, Morris argued..........''Would it be a good idea to get the prescription drugs of your dying fiancée and take them with you so nobody takes them?'' Morris asked the jury. ``He was doing the right thing. That's the problem here.''

Really? And that's not improper comment?

Anonymous said...

where's the abed one and why didnt he step in and stop dis bullsheeeet?

Anonymous said...

I heard ASA David Khan gave a great closing and really backed Morris into a corner. He should move up the ladder after handling a high profile case like this.

Anonymous said...

Bobby Reiff is a big joke, very overrated. If I was going to trial, I would not want Bobby representing me.

Also, why is Bobby so arrogant? Everyone of Bobby's defenses is a joke!