He was an automatic finalist for the Papa Hemmingway "look-a-like" contest. He presided over what used to be known as the security courtroom on the third floor, where bullet proof glass separated the participants in the courtroom from the spectators. He was considered one of the brightest and hardworking jurists to ever wear a robe in the REGJB. His case load was always the lowest, due in part to his habit of arriving at the courthouse at the break of dawn to review his calendar and read the pending motions. On most mornings he was in trial before 10:00 A.M., having finished his calendar before many of his colleagues had arrived for work.
We are speaking of course of Judge Philip Knight, and we were surprised and gratified to recently receive and read the following comment from a person who had served as juror before Judge Knight and must have recently come across our prior post here on November 9, 2011, which sadly and belatedly announced the death of the judge who passed away on May 5, 2011. You can read his obit here . It's worth a moment to read and learn about this man who was a war hero, and who worked as a letter carrier during law school to support his family.
I am sad to know that Judge Knight passed a way. Back in Jan. 1987, I served as a juror in his room I had just gotten my citizenship, I was so proud of it, I was also proud to serve as a juror and do what I was supposed to do as a citizen of our loved country. I am Gay and I was very impressed with his striking presence, and handsome look. He was very nice to us all and it seems that he liked me, (as a person), I saw him laughing a couple of time at my comments while we were been questioned and picked by the attorney's. At one point I lift up my hand, and asked him if they can adjust the air condition, we were freezing, he said to me very firmly, Mr. Bahna, this is my court room and I like it like that, I suggest to you to come dress accordingly tomorrow, I said, this is Miami, if you will get us valet parking perhaps we could do that. He laugh and ask the attorney to proceed. I still have (framed) a little diploma he gave us, as he thank us for serving as a juror I never forgotten.
A very nice remembrance. And a reminder to judges and lawyers that jurors see and hear and remember many things and that sometimes their brief visit to the world we work in has a lasting impact.
Check out our new poll on Rodriguez-Chomat and "finger girl".
See you in court.
When you see something that is not right, not fair, find a way to get in the way and cause trouble. Congressman John Lewis
JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG
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43 comments:
That was a very moving post. Thanks for that.
the trialmaster tried a few cases before Judge Knight when he moved to civil. He was a great judge. After the jury was out deliberating he would send his baliff to across the street to Sally Russell's to get drinks for all of the attornys and the judge and he would tell stories until the jury returned with a verdict. That was during another era in Miami. Judge Ralph Ferguson would take the attoneys to his near by house and have a few drinks until the jury came back with a verdict.That doe not happen anymore/ That was Miamah.
THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:
Great post today by Roy Black on one of the "best" commercials from last weekend's SB.
Check it out here:
http://www.royblack.com/blog/so-god-made-a-farmer/
Cap Out ....
Here you go Rumpy - just a bit more validation that you really and truly know what you talk about when you talk about diet sodas:
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/diet-soda-drinkers-greater-risk-diabetes-study-article-1.1257846
Does anyone use the fastcase on the Florida Bar website for legal research? Has is been hacked? Did they not renew the domain name?
Judge Marshall Ader would buy food, with his own money, for the defendsnt and attorneys while jury had dinner in jury room.
Pure poison Mikal.
And mixing tyou cocktails may with diet mixers may get you drunk faster.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2274119/The-diet-mixers-make-drunk-Sugar-free-versions-save-calories-drunk-quicker-fat-alternatives.html
Something DUI attorneys should ask their clents: what were you mixing with
No writ yet from Silent Charlie for Penelope Soto. What's the hold up?
The Florida Supreme Court initiated a Professionalism Committee for each
Circuit in the hopes of fostering professionalism in the practice of law.
The criminal court subcommittee for the 11th Circuit is putting on a CLE,
titled "Civility and Professionalism in Criminal Court," February 21st
from 12-2 with guest speakers Judge Nushin Sayfie, Chief Assistant State
Attorney Jose Arrojo and Brian Tannebaum. It will take place at the Public
Defender's Office. Please see attached flyer for details. This will be a
good opportunity to get ethics credit for those who are in need..
Don't be too shocked if our Hispanic Public Defender chooses not to file any pleadings with the 3rd DCA in the girl contempt case. His relationship with the Hispanic Judge supercedes his obligation to his client. My info, admittedly hearsay, is that big-shot PD feels she got what she deserved and he is reluctant to take any action that might embarrass his friend, Judge Rodriguez-Chomat. This is what it has come to in the Miami PD's office. A disgraceful judge who clearly over-reacted and a Public Defender who never tried a case in his entire legal career. Why am I not surprised.
4:03PM
Not True, there are at least 4 APDs that were working on this matter. But word is Ms. Soto now has a Mr. Steven Rosen as her. privately retained Attorney.
Also 4:03
I am not Carlos Martinez's PR guy.
You may not like Carlos,
You May not agree with his policies,
But No One can truthfully argue that Carlos does not do what Carlos thinks is best.
And more importantly,
Carlos Martinez has the Right and Authority to do so; Carlos is the Constitutionally Elected Public Defender for the 11th Circuit.
I was going to name my new miniature Schnauzer puppy "Parker Schnabule III"- you know "Schnabule the Schnauzer.
But then the other day somebody left a comment that Chomat was fun to say. Chomat Chomat Chomat.
so for the moment I have named my new puppy Chomat. We'll see how he likes it.
Cisco agrees with secret judge.
Secret Judge, you are a not so secret douche bag. Carlos with all his flaws, doesn't decide whom to file writs on. That is solely a function of the appellate department and not something he gets involved in. Truthfully, he doesn't micro manage that much at all. But at least we know now that you are a Hispanic hating racist.
DS you are a fucking idiot. Shut up. Stop it. You are publicly showing the whole justice building how much of a tool and nitwit you are.
I had the Burratta at Rao's in Manhattan tonight and it was both superb and sublime. Now most of you wouldn't even be allowed on the same block as Rao's much less have the slights chance to be allowed to read a menu not to mention no chance at a reservation. But all it took for me was two phone calls and a double fufchick handshake on the way in. But that's because I can and you can't.
BTW- stick with Parker Schnabule as the name for the puppy. My new partner, and way cool.
DS, you sure do speak a lot on behalf of CS. Are you sure you aren't his PR guy? Maybe it is time to repost your disclaimer before you get in trouble again.
Actually, I am very fond of the Hispanic community, and especially the Cuban-American Bar Association which has always always treated with nothing but class.
When a human being states that they don't have any prejudices and they are not in a sand box they're a lying sack of shit.
Call it what you want it's rampant racism and a lot people in this building are racist bigots.
Look at this paragraph from the Manifesto of the Officer turn vigilante:
This department has not changed from the Daryl Gates and Mark Fuhrman days. Those officers are still employed and have all promoted to Command staff and supervisory positions. I will correct this error. Are you aware that an officer (a rookie/probationer at the time) seen on the Rodney King videotape striking Mr. King multiple times with a baton on 3/3/91 is still employed by the LAPD and is now a Captain on the police department? Captain Rolando Solano is now the commanding officer of a LAPD police station (West LA division). As a commanding officer, he is now responsible for over 200 officers. Do you trust him to enforce department policy and investigate use of force investigations on arrestees by his officers? Are you aware Evans has since promoted to Sergeant after kicking Mr. Gettler in the face. Oh, you Violated a citizens civil rights? We will promote you. Same as LAPD did with the the officers from Metro involved in the May Day melee at MacArthur Park. They promoted them to Sergeant (a supervisor role).
No one is saying you can’t be prejudiced or a bigot. We are all human and hold prejudices. If you state that you don’t have prejudices, your lying! But, when you act on it and victimize innocent citizens and fellow innocen officers, than that is a concern.
From a retired collegue of Phil Knight.
A fitting tribute to a hell a of a guy and a great judge with emminent common sense. I sat with him on the bench prior to my formally taking office.
A character of the kind they don't have in the building any more.
Willing to work hard and do the right thing, This was before the guidlines came into effect but he always seemed to be right on the money as to what the case was worth and meeted out the appropriate sentence.
A cool guy with some demons to fight but they never interfered with his demeanor or his humanity.
The best advice I got while sitting with him in the daily court sessions was to "rule, Make a decsion", "keep your opinions to yourself and dont't tell the lawyers how try the the case like you did when you were a lawyer and most importantly "try not to do any thing stupid that will get your TIT in a wringer.
Naturally we who were his disciples and human beings violated all the rules,on occasion, because we were young and foolish, full of ourselves and at times let the robe go to our heads.Ultimatley as we matured in the job most of us, I think strived to follow his examples and follow those wise admonishments.
The guy was old school and sometimes Old School ain't so bad.
A great man, like all of us flawed to some extent, but some one you were proud to know, emulate and call your friend.
I like think I was one of those people.
Thanks for listening.
Thanks for remembering him.
Lenny Glick
Can someone post a link to Echarte's order allegedly ripping SAO for violating someone's civil rights re: the handling of a child support matter. Herald has an article about it but no link to the order.
I strongly disfavor posting anonymous comments; however, I feel compelled to do so here for obvious reasons.
I could spend countless hours on the matter to follow, but I will spend just a few or so minutes for starters.
Notwithstanding the fact he used the word "ain't" at least two times, Judge Rodriguez-Chomat does not even come close to speaking proper English, which one should be able to do to be a judge in a court of law.
Furthermore, he sarcastically dismissed a young girl, who appeared to be suffering some cognitive impairment for one reason or another, by chirping "bye bye".
Upon taking into account all the other improper (and most likely illegal) actions he had the unmitigated gall to take, one can come to a number of conclusions, and one I have come to is that he is a f*(k!^g control hungry unintelligent little d!(k.
DISCLAIMER
SO THERE WILL NOT BE ANY CONFUSION OR MISTAKE
I WISH IT CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD THAT ANY POSTINGS ARE MY PERSONAL MUSING. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CONFUSED ABOUT WHO I SPEAK FOR, ON THE BLOG IT IS ONLY ME.
I DO NOT SPEAK FOR MY EMPLOYER IN ANY WAY NOR SHOULD ANY OF MY COMMENTS NOR POSTS BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THOSE I WORK FOR NOR WITH. ALSO NO MATTER WHAT MY PERSONAL VIEWS ARE, I BELIEVE IN ADVOCATING FOR MY CLIENTS AND PROTECTING THEIR RIGHTS.
Well said Judge Glick
Anyone remember what Voltaire said about Speech ?
I love those Old School judges and greatly appreciated Lenny's comment.
Lenny is and always has been a class act and great guy, not to mention on of the best prosecutors and judges to ever grace our community. I wish there were more like him.
BTDT
PS-----It's great to see his daughter, Stacy, becoming more and more like him.
It never ceases to amaze me how so many of those who stand up for the rights of the oppressed and defend the worst criminals plaguing our community are so quick to accuse, malign, and torment cops, prosecutors, judges, and those whom they disagree with on this blog.
BTDT
DS: You should not post any more comments until you learn to write. You are an embarrassment to the legal community. Clearly, your poor clients are getting the short end of the stick. You need to seriously consider retiring.
DS---you know I'm a friend, but the First Amendment is more of a shield than a sword.
You remind us about Voltaire's comments, but I think you miss the point (as do some of the others).
Just because you have a right to say something, doesn't mean you should. Further, while you have a right to say what you want, others have an equal right to criticize you for it (I just wish people weren't so nasty in their comments).
BTDT
DS- why are you posting your personal musings during working hours? Please stop.
And I'll see your Voltaire with a quote attributed to Lincoln: "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."
Does anyone else find DS odd?
DS,
You really want to go to Voltaire? You realize he's rather notorious for his anti-semitism.
How did this become a DS focused blog. Rumpole, you made a mistake allowing him to be associated with you. Too much about him and not about subject matter
DS, call thee shumie.
1:24-- DS, UAM, Angry Girl are all
BORING.
Calling the Shumie shuffle.
Uh... I put my money that Ms. Soto will have her sentence mitigated in the next hour to time served and will be enjoying shumie time.... shortly.
To Mr. Shumie:
How can her sentence be "mitigated in the next hour to time served" when she hasn't yet been arraigned nor charged yet?
Are your cigars as dull as your mind?
[Jews] are, all of them, born with raging fanaticism in their hearts, just as the Bretons and the Germans are born with blond hair. I would not be in the least bit surprised if these people would not some day become deadly to the human race.
—Voltaire, Lettres de Memmius a Ciceron (1771)
So Rodriguez-Chomat takes back his finding of contempt because he was worried about the 18 year old girls record. Wonder if it was an 18 year old African American male who said fuck you to the judge, if the honorable would be so worried about his record?
didn't see DS roaming the halls of the PDO today, wonder if he got fired?
11;19
7:15 am and 5:35 pm are not working hours
How does Saul get all of these court appointed cases out of town?
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