UPDATE: Rob Pineiro's condition remains extremely serious. As several comments have indicated, including an eloquent statement by our State Attorney Ms. Rundle, his wife Barbara appreciates all the well wishes and prayers but wants to make sure everyone knows that this is a very personal time and the family wishes to be with him at the hospital without anyone outside of the family, no matter well intentioned, being present. I am certain everyone who counts Rob Pineiro as a friend, and who has been praying for him, will respect his family's wishes.
This is a great man who has touched so many lives in the course of his work and life.
Please take a moment today to reflect on how fragile life is and to keep Rob Pineiro and his family in your thoughts.
We are praying for him.
Earlier today we had received erroneous information that was confirmed by two separate sources. It is not correct. We truly regret any pain this has caused Rob Piniero's family.
70 comments:
Double check that. Hear he was critical but still breathing on his own
You need to check your facts because you are wrong.
So irresponsible. He's not dead!
He has NOT passed away. Just checked with Judge Soto's chambers and he is in the hospital and being seen by doctors. He is breathing on his own but unconscious.
I am so upset about this. What an amazing jurist and good good person. I am truly heartbroken and I can't imagine what his wife and family are going through. This man invented common sense. He filtered through sl the bullshit and nonsense and got to the point and always got it right. His courtroom ran itself. A truly remarkable man. Man this is so sad.
The rumors of my death are greatly exagerated.
Rob
it would be so great if that were Rob. And I pray that someday we can laugh at this. For now this is serious and Judge Piniero and his family need our prayers and thoughts.
I had a call about his passing. As an attorney who has litigated in front of him I felt very sad. Reading the comments before I now have hopes that he is still fighting for his life. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Let's hope he recovers promptly.
I am thrilled beyond words he is alive. Where there is life there is hope. I am sick to my stomach for making such a grievous error and any pain I may have caused his family.
While not a credited news source, this blog provides information to the South Florida legal community. Whether or not you like it, Rump, you have a grave responsibility to post accurate information on this site.
Accurate means fact-checking, not just taking the word of one or two people. Unless you received confirmation from an immediate family member or a senior judge who has been in direct contact with his immediate family, you don't post anything.
I'm sure you meant no harm and were only trying to keep us informed, but these matters are too sensitive and we cannot afford to be wrong.
I am thrilled, as all of you are, that he is alive. We all hope and pray that he makes a speedy and full recovery. He is a great judge with a lovely family and we wish them all the best.
Rumpole
Let us all pray together for a complete recovery.
I had heard the same rumor and checked with three independent very responsible people at the court house and heard the same thing. I agree with life there is hope.
Bob P
4:13 I cannot disagree with what you said.
However, in my limited defense I offer this (and I say this although I feel awful and feel like shutting this down on the chance I caused any distress to Rob's family)
I have chosen to remain anonymous. I can't pick up the phone and say "hi this is rumpole, can you tell me what is going on?".
So I sent out some emails. I got back two, both attributed another source- a Judge- and since both attributed the Judge who appeared to me to be in the know- I went with it.
I chose speed over accuracy. If I decide to continue, I will not make that mistake again I can tell you that.
Rump,
Your mistake is believing that because the information came from a judge then it must be true. Judges get it wrong all the time, so says the 3rd DCA. Had the information come from an appelate judge it would have taken longer to receive but it would have had more credibility. Now had the information from the a judge on the Supreme Court than for sure you could have bet that it was right, or at least not liable of being overturned.
If a Supreme Court judge says your dead and your alive, no one will believe you. "We who labor here seek only the truth."
Pineiro is awesome. I am sad that my kids didn't have the opportunity to practice before him. Rob is a wonderful, honorable person.
I guess we can cross one RGB regular off the Rumple Suspect List.......good luck Judge P
Our prayers are w/ Rob n His family.
DS
I was in a restaurant when I got the email that Rob had died. I had tears in my eyes and had to leave.
Now that I hear he is hanging in there, I am a very happy man.
Get well soon, Rob. You are truly loved and respected by all.
I wish I could hug Barbara right now.
Robert Pineiro is indeed one of the great common sense jurists in this county. I wish him a godspeed recovery.
Easy rump. Its good to know u have a heart. We all know that whoever u are u have a good heart. U meant well and no one in Robs family could be hurt by what u did. I think all this fervor and interest in finding out illustrates how much people care and really do love Pinero. People love him because he is a powerful presence yet merciful and kind. An attractive attribute to have a judge and as person. A serious man on the bench with a heart gold. His sitation has really made me pause and reflect on my own life. Its made me realize that at the end of the day it doesn't matter how many cases you won or how much money you made. What matters is what kind of person you were. That what people remember, its what inspires people to do better, be better.
Please, please be ok, please!!!!
I am consumed with guilt that people read the original post and swamped his wife with phone calls of condolences and meanwhile she's at his bedside while he is fighting for his life. My actions were awful.
Rumpole, don't feel bad. I heard the same thing from people who you would think were in the know. Unlikely his family was reading the blog today. You do a great job and one slip while trying to give us immediate info that we all care deeply about is forgiven. Nuff said now let's all pray for Rob. Edit the haters.
Land of Freedom? please make all post bad or good available.
We all make mistakes but, before we announce someone's death, I think we really, really need to be sure.
I don't think it bothered Barbara at all because she was right there and had first hand knowlege.
Let's move on and simply all pray for Rob tonight.
I too am devastated by the news and the terrible rumor. My family is praying for his speedy recovery and strength for his beloved family. God Bless them.
BTW he is in stable condition.
....so maybe this would be a good time to graciously bow out....
Rumpole:
Please take a moment and reflect that we all
make mistakes. I occasionally look in on this blog
and generally find you informative and quite
funny. Give yourself a break...learn from this
unintentional rush of misinformation and move
along throwing dirt on the sacred cows and
displaying a generally positive product.
Ken White
RUMP. Really. dont post this one. But stop it. I know for a fact and i can't tell you how i know this...at least as of 1 pm she hadn't received any of those calls. ok. so dont worry. Youre blog is whats beautiful about this country. Its open, free and its yours. Your a lawyer, not a journalist. you're not supposed to get it right all the time. I haven't heard one negative thing said about what you posted. really. so stop beating yourself up. If it wasn't for you there wouldn't be a forum to talk about how great he is. Now cut it out. Please.
Anyone know what hospital he is in so we can go sit with barbara?
you should be consumed with guilt. Barbara has enough to deal with without all your idiocy
6:50, your post brought me to tears. Seriously. I think that what you said is really what we should all aspire to be as lawyers, but more importantly, people.
Rump, settle down. You are human, I think. You tried to report the news as best as you knew it. I take issue with much of what you do, but this is not one of those times. God speed to Rob Pineiro. He is a good man.
The reason people love blogs, and especially this blog, is that information is more quickly available than it is from the mainstream media. But when speed is such an important factor, mistakes are going to be made. The surprising thing is not that this mistake happened; it's that more mistakes like this don't happen.
So, I hope you aren't seriously considering shutting down the blog Rumpole. It's too good and too important. More importantly, let's hope Judge Pineiro gets better soon.
Get better soon Judge Pineiro!
Rump...Don't be so hard on yourself. We are human and make mistakes.
What hospital so we can send flowers of support.
My prayers are with Rob, and his family. He is a great judge and a very caring individual. Let's hope God does not call him just yet. We all known we need more jurists like him.
Shut this blog down! You are a moron!
I am an infrequent visitor to this blog, but I am compelled to write and express my deep sorrow, but greater hope, concerning the very honorable Judge Pineiro. In addition to running the best courtroom in the building, he is, simply put, the man. There's a reason why he is beloved by advocates on both sides of the aisle and has (by far) the lowest case load among his peers. He knows the law, he's not afraid to do the right thing, he doesn't let the attorneys slack, and he tosses out the garbage before the taxpayers get stuck with the bill. When he's not dispensing justice, you can find him beating you in chess, beefing up on American history, riding his motorcycle, or slaloming down a mountain side. You know what I call a guy like that? A soldier. And, if anyone can pull through this, it is him. My thoughts, prayers, and best wishes are with him, his lovely wife, and family and friends.
A forever fan,
Tristia Bauman, APD
Relax Rump. The blog is not you it is the people who work in the Justice building. The reports were flying around the halls and the cafeteria well before you mentioned it. Rob and Barbara have been working in the building since the 70s and are loved, admired and respected by everybody, while his immediate family feels this more, we who know and work with him are also family. The blog is simply a cyber expression of what we were all feeling. I am happy we were wrong and am going to be thrilled to see Rob again. Juan Gonzalez
Rump, while I understand your guilt, we're all human (anonymous though you may be ;-)
I don't think you're giving Barbara enough credit. She's a very bright woman and I'm sure she understands (and is comforted to the extent that she can be by the wonderful things people are saying about Rob).
Regardless, I can't imagine your words were anywhere near as painful as her husband's challenges.
Still, I am impressed by your ongoing willingness to examine what you do and look for ways to improve. That's one of the things that makes this blog great (I remember the great debates about moderation and think you made the right choice there). You're providing a great and valuable service.........one mistake (even a bad one like this) doesn't take away from that. If you go to far to prevent another one, you'll undermine everything you're doing.
BTDT
Rob Piniero is a fantastic judge and human being. He was part of the best bench County Court will ever see...........back when CC was split into DUI/Traffic and Other Crimes/Misdemeanors, Piniero, Schumacher, Lando, Colby, and (overlapping with some) Cohen set a standard that will never be matched. And Piniero led the charge.
I learned a lot from Rob (sometimes willingly, sometimes not!) and wish him (and Barbara, who also is a wonderful person) well.
BTDT
PS----I love the comment about his "inventing common sense."
Rump, dont beat yourself up over the misinformation that you relied upon. I doubt that anyone notifed the family based upon that. Keep up the great job that you are doing and fight the good fight. Even the trialmaster makes a mistake once in a great while.
Judge Pineiro is certainly a wonderful man and, as described here, a "common sense jurist." What some may not realize is that he also embodies another crucial quality that is rarer still than common sense -- he is courageous.
Consider the Ricardo Jose Garcia case, or the Terric Jeffrey case, as just two well-publicized examples of his practice of applying the law to protect the rights of the accused, whatever the public outcry might have been.
I defy anyone to name a more fundamentally decent judge or human being.
I have been told that the family wants the family alone to be at the hospital.
Rob's condition is not such that others can assist + it is not what the family wants now.
I and you can each wish him our best from afar.
Rumpole, I’ve been reading your blog for several years now. I became a follower after someone close to me had passed away and you posted the news on here (and no, that is not how I found out about their death). It was nice to read how so many people had nice things to say about this person and it comforted me in a difficult time. I’m not a lawyer and I don’t even live in the South Florida area but I continue to read your blog on a regular basis as I enjoy the insight, humor, and the football picks.
So while I certainly understand you would be upset about posting this erroneous information, I think in memory of all those who have passed away and been remembered on this blog more than makes up for one mistake. I wish Judge Pinero a speedy recovery and will keep him and his family in my thoughts and prayers.
You news in Spanish
www.jh.to/juezpineiro
I have spoken to Barbra today, who informed me that her husband, Judge Roberto Pineiro, continues to be in grave condition. While Barbra and her family deeply appreciate all the support they have received from their SAO family, they have kindly requested that we allow them some private time during this difficult period.
Please continue to keep Judge Pineiro, Barbra and their family in your thoughts and prayers. I will keep you updated as I receive any further information.
Katherine Fernandez Rundle
State Attorney
I think its ok that you screwed up! Hard to believe it but even I have screwed up big time in the past.(LOL) (ALL THOUGH YOU DO HAVE THE BENEFIT THAT NO ONE KNOWS YOUR IDENTITY!) In life we all do that once in a while, I think some people over reacted to you getting it wrong. Once in a while we all make a stupid mistake that will make us cringe and will hope people will just let it go and forget. To those people who insulted you, belittled you and called you all sorts of things I say, compassion goes a long way and mercy is priceless in this world we tend to want to punish too quickly, after all it is the Christmas season!
What I like about Pinero is that he has the courage to do what's right, he has perspective and common sense. I wish other Judges were more like him. He gives a great trial and yes he will give your guy a max sentence if it is warranted but you will feel at the end of the day that your guy got a good trial and his day in court. God bring him a fast recovery.
Barbara was not busy reading the blog nor the facdl listserve nor the emails going back and forth between everyone. She is does not care about the mistake and right now she can't even be bothered by it and her concern is that Rob get better. All this fighting and insulting about the mistake does not make her feel better it just does not matter to her so please forgive and forget and all this energy put on the mistake that was made by dozen's of people should be put into just praying for Rob's quick and complete recovery!
I could not agree more with the statement made by Kathy Fernandez Rundle. Barbra and her immediate family need the time to consider and weigh all medical options. They DO NOT want calls or visits from well wishers , as they are at a critical decision-making time.
Having said that, please keep Barbra &Rob's kids, Alllison & Jared in your thoughts as they deal with some enormous conditions and consequences. Please give them their privacy to address matters in a family way.
This post, which is a first for me, does not need to mention me. Rumpole, just send it out in good taste on behalf of the family so they are given appropriate time and space, to address pending medical matters.
With regards,
Dava
Dava J. Tunis
Nicely done, Katherine.
Rump, I agree, a mistake is a mistake, and this blog is too important to tank over an error for which you've apologized. I'm many hundreds of miles away, and wouldn't have known of Roberto's problem without your help.
Rump, your blog is an asset to our community, keep the faith, focus on Judge Pineiro's speedy recovery.
Rump,it was mentioned today in au bon pan that David Paulaus was gravely ill. I dont want to start a rumer but it was stated by a long time state attorney and co-worker. dont post this I don't want anyone taking cheep shots at Paulaus.
Mr. Paulus is indeed very ill as well. He has been in our thoughts and prayers. This has been a very tough holiday season.
It's truly amazing that a jurist so universally praised, and rightfully so, isn't emulated by his colleagues.
He may have "invented common sense;" but listen up your honors, he didn't copyright it!!
Grow yourselves a set in his honor!!
Too bad about Paulus. Worked with him at the SAO. A good guy. A complete hard ass since I've been on the defense side, but he's a credit to that office.
Dont know his medical situation, but I hope he fares well.
At least some of the rumors on David Paulus' illness ARE true.
Life is so fragile. I hope as people reflect on recent events that they won't stop by praying for those who have died or are ill. I hope that they will think about their approach to life, better appreciate their families and friends, adn what they have, and be more tolerant of others.
BTDT
Rump- warm up for your morning coffee? Just thought I would offer one last time. Going to be sworn in next week, no more waitressing for me!!! I read you every day through 3 years of law school. You helped me get through.
And BTW- when things were tough I also did some hostesing at Opium, so I can bring it. Got a rockin body, and if you're game I can give you a "better" thank you.
THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:
Senate Removes Judge Thomas Porteous Jr. Following Impeachment Trial .....
The Senate found U.S. District Judge G. Thomas Porteous Jr. guilty on four articles of impeachment Wednesday, removing him from his lifetime appointment to the federal bench in Louisiana and denying him his federal pension. Porteous, 63, sat in the well of the Senate as members cast their votes against him. He just the eighth judge in American history to be removed from office by the Senate.
During the Senate's day-long impeachment trial Tuesday, senators heard from House members who acted as prosecuting attorneys, presenting evidence that Porteous had taken bribes from local attorneys and businessmen with cases before his court over the course of several decades. Attorneys said Porteous then lied about his conduct to the FBI and the Senate Judiciary Committee to ease his confirmation proceedings to become a federal judge. He was also accused of filing for bankruptcy under a false name.
Read all about it:
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/12/08/senate-impeaches-judge-thomas-porteous-removes-him-from-office/
Cap Out .....
Batman doesn't speak anymore?
Rump, major victory for Manny Alvarez at the Florida Supreme Court. See opinion on Santo Hernandez v State released today.
Announcement has come that he has indeed passed away today.
Rump:
It's official, Judge Joel Brown sent out notication to the Judges and staff about 1pm announcing Judge Pineiro's death.
to "new hot esq said..."
Really, so you just reward perfect strangers with offers of sex! WOW what an asset you are going to be to an already demonized profession. If your comment is indicative of anything it is that you are a pig! I can't even believe you would say something like that! There are plenty of HOT ESQ. there is no lack of that at REG I can think of many asas, apds not to mention private attorney females that could do a pictorial, centerfold and look damn good but they don't give it away because of some good reading. Pronouncing it like you did you lack judgment and morals. How do you know Rump is not some fat ugly pimply disgusting mess of an attorney. Even if say he was good looking why would you offer yourself up so cheaply. You are gross, there are plenty of corners on biscayne where you can practice your law.
EXCUSE ME. You may have some problem with this young lady, but it does not give you any reason to attack me. I am up before dawn every day, running, biking, lifting weights, eating egg whites and oatmeal. Fat? No siree. And because of my superior diet, my complexion is outstanding.
I love hot Esq who give it up. And the SAO has a serious lack of those. KFR won't hire anyone better looking than her. The PDs, now they have quite a bounty of hot women in that office. 3:59pm, relax. You don't know if this young lady was just horsing around.
How about you people shuttin the hell up! Do you understand what we just lost? Take your crap elsewhere & both of you get lives.
justice
I am still here. Little has happened on which I wish to comment. I am watching.
Right now, my heart is broken over the death of a good friend and colleague.
new hot esq-- Your comment is ill-timed given the nature of the post. BTW you are so a dude.
I am saddened by Robertico's passing. Roberto's maternal grandmother was my Father's first cousin. That made him my 4th cousin. I hesitated attending the funeral and interrment services because we had not had any contact for a very long time. I spent many years away as an expatriate executive, thus missed most of the news of the cases which he heard from the bench. I am saddened by the fact that he is the second son their parents lose, the first was still a child. I was at the wedding of his parents. However, life as you have it, separates individuals. Our separation simply evolved, not as the result of any strife, but more the consequence of time, distance and different interests. RIP Roberto, you deserve our respect and family pride.
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