The REGJB's very own retired Judge Jon Colby has made the news with his impassioned advocacy for the Menedez brothers. If you did not know, Judge Colby raises therapy dogs (Grace is the current one) and takes them to hospitals, nursing homes, and ...prisons, where he not only met Sirhan Sirhan (who fell on to the floor crying when allowed to pet Grace) but got to know the Menendez brothers and testified at their re-sentencing hearing.
Hardened criminals aren't the only ones who gain perspective and grace with age. Sometimes "tough" Judges do as well.
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| Doing great things...and allowing a retired judge to tag along. |
From the article:
A retired tough-on-crime judge has become a surprising advocate for allowing Erik and Lyle Menendez to be released on parole after the shotgun murders of their parents more than three decades ago. And it was all because of his beloved golden retrievers.
Ex-Miami criminal court judge Jonathan T. Colby has visited the brothers numerous times in prison in the last 10 years, accompanied by his pups, as part of an outreach program that uses dogs to soften the hearts of hardened killers.
23 comments:
When they say MAGA, we say TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out). Just look at the tariff shit show.
It is preferable that have perspective while on the bench
Typical stereotypical liberal group think from the Ivory Tower circa the era of Michael Dukakis. But when you think about it, makes good sense. If a dog cant bring out the soft side of a human being, nothing or no one can. Kudos to Judge Colby for thinking outside the box.
What do Nixon and Pino have in common?
Missing tapes.
One's point of view ( ie perspective) is informed by what they view and the perch from where they view it. And as one gains experience, and the wisdom that hopefully comes from that experience, their perspective often evolves. As any Judge will attest, the view from the bench is far different from the view one has while working with inmates inside prison walls. That latter experience has given Judge Colby a far different perspective than the one he held as a Judge. To be sure, many embrace his former POV and many embrace his current POV. But the more views you get, and the more angles you see something from, the more informed your perspective, whatever it is, will be. Judge Colby deserves credit for exposing himself to a different view of the system , and trying to help others cope with what are often dire circumstances. I proud to call him my dear friend and admire his commitment to serving those less fortunate. Michael Hanzman.
This is a beautiful and elegant tribute Rumpole. God bless.
Incredible article on a wonderful alumni of ours. Not many are aware that he volunteered his time hearing cases in the Surfside building collapse along with Judge Hanzman
Grace fan club meting this Friday 10 am El Gordo cafe first floor REGJB. Coffee and pastellittos will be served
JUDGE MICHAEL HANZMAN’s comment above says it all. Both Judge Hanzman and Judge Colby served last year to listen to those tragic Surfside Towers collapse cases killing 98 innocent victims. They spent many months in court in tears and awarded $1.2 billion to the victims. Judge Colby flew in from his home in California - and did his retired Judge service for free returning any compensation to all the victims.
Golden Retriever Grace has “Grace”
Good karma, Good life goals! Hope to get a taste of that freedom soon.
Hanzy & Coco were a thing for a hot minute during Covid but then it died out and no ABC morning show materialized. Sadly.
PAUL DONNELLY’S SERVICE
Monday, June 2, 2025 @ 10:00 am. The service is at Dignity Memorial's Forest Lawn Funeral home 2401 Davie Road, Davie, FL 33317.
Rumpole / so nice to see positive and kind news of this post. Thank you. We need more good things and people in the world. Grace needs to come be a therapy dog at the Justice Building.
For Judge Hanzman and Judge Jonathan Colby to have that much respect for one another says a lot.
Both did so much for Surfside in the collapse case. It was a tragedy. Maybe Grace the golden retriever inspired these two experienced and caring jurists to handle a most sad 98 death trials and to assign a billion dollars for victims with grace.
Kudos. Never forget Surfside.
Nice to see recollections of the people (like former judges Hanzman and Colby) on the blog. The extent of open insults and disrespect against judges is seen by defendants and others as OK, because their lawyers vent their unhappiness (whether justified or not) to their clients. Never forget, the judges cannot go on social media to defend themselves; it is part of our job as lawyers, to encourage respect, even where we don't agree with a ruling. You think Uthmeier invented his disrespect?
I don't see nearly as much of that on the federal side, but it does come up from the private bar who practice in federal court, sadly.
The world needs more kindness. These two judges exemplify kindness and respect for our system of justice and those within our sphere of the courthouse and prison. Refreshing.
I practiced before Jon Colby for years. He was a normal, reasonable judge and a decent person. He was not "tough on crime" as was labeled. He was fair to both sides and we all got along well with him. He also was not weak on crime. He just called balls and strikes and earned our respect on both sides of the courtroom.
We have some truly great committed kind Judges in our circuit.
MVZ was out there at Surfside
We should all give a shout out to the best in our circuit who listen and bend over backwards to be fair: Judge Michelle Delancy-always with a huge smile and a great attitude; Judge Lody Jean; Judge Tanya Brinkley, Judge David Young. I'm sure I've missed some, so who are your favorites.
I agree, with Mr./Ms. 10:40 am. I love Delancy, Wolfson, Jean, Brinkley and Young, I hate Milton, Venzer and the not nice gang.
I’ll take Judge Ted, Judge Phil Davis, Judge shenberg and Judge Sepe. And judge Morphonios. Which is the one that would be charged for conspiracy to commit murder? Maximum prison. Operation Courtbroom.
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