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.

Sunday, January 08, 2006

IN MEMORIAM JUDGE MANNY CRESPO

THE HONORABLE MANNY CRESPO PASSED AWAY.
WE MOURN HIS PASSING. (We will update and add the wonderful comments as they arrive, and we will print them out and send them to Judge Crespo's wife at the end of the week. Keep the memories coming)

We knew Manny Crespo from the time he was a defense attorney. Manny was a civic minded attorney who served his community with distinction and honor. Prior to becoming a judge, he served on many civic and bar committees.

An avid World War II buff, Manny was a proud patriot and true American.

As a Judge, Manny worked hard, putting in long hours. He was a frequently called upon by judges to handle their division during “plea” calendars.

Manny dispensed justice with common sense and a little bit of home spun Cuban humor and wisdom. Manny was a true Justice Building character, a true servant to this community, a highly respected jurist, and as we can see from the posts, a friend and mentor to many.
Judge Manny Crespo will be missed and fondly remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

The viewing will be held Tuesday, January 10th from 5:00 p.m. to midnight at Caballero Rivero Woodlawn, 8200 S.W. 40th Street, Miami, FL, (305) 227-3344.

The mass will be held on Wednesday, January 11th at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of the Little Flower, 1270 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables. The burial will immediately follow at Flagler Memorial Park, 5301 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33134.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in Judge Crespo’s name.

Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Aracely Crespo
3916 S.W. 62 Avenue
Miami, FL 33155


Judge David Young warmly writes:

Manny was one of the kindest individuals I have ever met. He was more than a colleague, he was a friend. The world needs more people like Manny.

Judge Jimenez remembers:

Manny invited me to my first CABA function when I moved down to Miami, and we have been friends for twenty-five years. I am very proud of the fact that he swore me in as a judge.About 20 years ago, Manny, Sy Gaer and I won a jury trial in a 15-yr drug trafficking case, and Manny insisted on taking us with our wives to dinner at Christie's to celebrate. We had the greatest time because with Manny you couldn't have less than the greatest time. He was full of superlatives.


Judge Scott Silverman writes about Manny Crespo fondly:

Manny was a special person and a friend to all those who met him. Even with all of his physical ailments of late, he continued to display a positive and jovial character which was his trademark. Anyone who knew Manny knows that he loved being a judge. However, he was never judgmental. Manny was a gentle man with a heart of gold. He was passionate about his work and about dispensing justice. The only reward he sought was the satisfaction of knowing that he was serving the public and the law which dearly loved. Though Manny was called Honorable, he was worthy of the title. I can think of no better description for him. Now, our dear friend sits as a fixed star in the universe of jurist. He is missed.

Judge Henry Leyte-Vidal writes:

I met Manny back in 1979 and he immediately won me over with his warmth and personality. We have been friends ever since. A man who did not know the meaning of no when asked to take on any task. A great judge but more importantly a great man who had touched thousands of lives. I will never forget him and his spirit will live on in this building he loved so much

Judge Katie Pooler writes:

Manny was genuinely kind and warm. He really cared for and respected people, no matter who they were, and shared his humor and interests with everyone. I've never known anyone who had so many close friends. I met Manny when I was a young ASA, and shared lots of coffee and plea negotiations with him in Cozzolli's (pre Pickle Barrel for the youngsters.)Manny was on the JNC when I applied, and he was my champion. There is tremendous sorrow in the world for his passing. Katie Pooler.

ASA Howard Rosen remembers:

I recall how on one particular occasion when I appeared before Manny Crespo after not being before him for a few months he called me up to the bench after my hearing was concluded, held out his arm to me, and said, “You always have a friend in this court.” And that is truly how Judge Crespo made people feel, that he was a friend. He enjoyed speaking with (and listening to) lawyers, jurors, Corrections officers, and anybody who came into his courtroom. Because we can all recall how he would step down from the bench to address jurors, it would be a nice gesture of remembrance if perhaps the main juror assembly room in the Gerstein Building or some other suitable location could be named in his honor. He will be missed.

ASA Howard Rosen



And Jason Grey remembers:

One of the best! He knew BS when he saw it, and was never afraid to get involved. The best jury selection on the planet. He was A friend and will be missed.

Phil Reizenstein remembers :

Manny Crespo took the time to pull me aside one day when I was a young ASA and tell me he thought I was doing a good job. His words meant a lot at the time. We both shared a love of history. One day after a Judge sitting in for him had denied a motion for a continuance at sounding, I appeared for trial. I again asked for a continuance and told Judge Crespo that the Judge covering for him had denied my motion. I qupted the judge as saying "a further delay would be too bitter to contemplate." Judge Crespo got a big smile on his face, recognizing that I was quoting General Eisenhower's famous words when he gave the go ahead for the D-Day invasion. Manny gave me the continuance I needed.

ASA Michael Grieco writes:

Was on the bench for selfless reasons and truly believed in justice. His tongue-in-cheek plea blitzes and colloquys took some of the monotony out of the courthouse and made practicing law enjoyably unpredictable. He has found a way into at least half of my more entertaining courtroom anecdotes (Can never forget him telling a sentenced prisoner that he'll never smell a woman again) and will be missed both as judge and a friend

Former ASA Aaron Dorfzaun writes:

I had the pleasure of being assigned to Judge Crespo's courtroom during most of my last year as an Assistant State Attorney. During this time, Judge Crespo became both a mentor to me as well as a dear friend. Like nearly all of those who appeared before him, my memory is full of many stories of the happenings in his courtroom. A large portion of the stories of share of my time as an ASA are from my time in his courtroom. Judge Crespo always treated me fairly, and with dignity and respect. That was the way he treated everyone who came into his courtoom--attorney, defendant, clerk, corrections officer, policeman, juror, civilian. I will never forget his personal thanking of jurors, and his shaking of each juror's hand after a trial. He took a strong and sincere interest in both my professional development as well as my personal life. Judge Crespo taught me a lot about being an attorney. But more importantly, he gave me many fine lessons about being a good person and a good father. Judge Crespo was a fine jurist, but an even better person. He balanced his love of the law with love for the community and his family. And he did it all with the humility that only someone like him could possess. Thank you, Judge Crespo, for all that you have done for me. I will miss you, and I will forever be proud to call you my mentor and friend.


Steve Talpins remembers:

Manny was a mensch. During my 12 years in the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, the biggest complaint I ever heard about him was that he slowed things down because he was so interested in what everyone had to say. Years ago, I visited his house so he could review a warrant (he was covering for another judge, as usual). He invited the detective and I in and offered us dinner (I half expected him to offer us lodging as well). LOL. Wouldn't it be great if all of us put so much time into our relationships? Manny always focused on what mattered most: people. Who can ever forget his coming out from behind the bench to address his jurors (or the standing ovations they gave him!)? He also tried hard to be fair and to follow the law. As a result, he was one of a handful of people liked by everyone; even the most tenacious lawyers on both sides of the bar. He is irreplaceable.

Ruben Oliva writes:

As a private attorney he was always willing to help the younger lawyers, ready to dispense nuggets of wise advice. As a Judge he always treated the lawyers as Officers of the Court and everyone else with dignity and respect. He was irreverent and funny when the situation was right but took his duties seriously. He will be truly missed. When he became a Judge many of us lost a mentor, now we've lost a Judge that set the example on how to wear the black robes.

Sharon Berger Cooper writes:

I appeared before Judge Crespo as a new lawyer, only a few months out of law school. Most Judges, especially Circuit Judges treated me with little regard or respect. However, after a bond hearig in Judge Crespo's courtroom, he called me to his bench. I was sure he was going to admonish me for something I must have done wrong. However, he smiled at me, and said that I was doing a great job. he then asked where i went to law school and how long had I been practicing. I never forgot that day. And, now several years later, I am a stay at home mom and am no longer practicing law. However I have always found myself paying particular attention to cases in which i saw Judge Crespo presiding upon, in the news. And, sadly I saw the news yeasterday of his passing. he was such a kind man, but never compromised his responsibilities as a Judge. Everyone will say that he was gentle and kind, but he was not a push over, nor was he lenient on the defendants that came before him. I could go on and on. What a terrible loss...


Anonymous writes:
Would that all judges acted with Manny's character.

Anonymous writes:
Judge Crespo was such a wonderful guy. He was loved so much by all sides, and knew when to be serious and when to be playful. He had a great sense of humor and was so caring. I will miss him a lot. We need more Judges like him, but more importantly, we need more people like him.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

One of the best! He knew BS when he saw it, and was never afraid to get involved. The best jury selection on the planet. He was A friend and will be missed.

Anonymous said...

Manny was one of the kindest individuals I have ever met. He was more than a colleague, he was a friend. The world needs more people like Manny.

Anonymous said...

Would that all judges acted with Manny's character.

Anonymous said...

Manny invited me to my first CABA function when I moved down to Miami, and we have been friends for twenty-five years. I am very proud of the fact that he swore me in as a judge.

About 20 years ago, Manny, Sy Gaer and I won a jury trial in a 15-yr drug trafficking case, and Manny insisted on taking us with our wives to dinner at Christie's to celebrate. We had the greatest time because with Manny you couldn't have less than the greatest time. He was full of superlatives.

Anonymous said...

Judge Crespo was such a wonderful guy. He was loved so much by all sides, and knew when to be serious and when to be playful. He had a great sense of humor and was so caring. I will miss him a lot. We need more Judges like him, but more importantly, we need more people like him.

Anonymous said...

Was on the bench for selfless reasons and truly believed in justice. His tongue-in-cheek plea blitzes and colloquys took some of the monotony out of the courthouse and made practicing law enjoyably unpredictable. He has found a way into at least half of my more entertaining courtroom anecdotes (Can never forget him telling a sentenced prisoner that he'll never smell a woman again) and will be missed both as judge and a friend.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if judges other that judge jimenez will read this and think about what people will say when they leave this planet - maybe a couple of them would think about their behavior.

Anonymous said...

Manny was a mensch. During my 12 years in the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, the biggest complaint I ever heard about him was that he slowed things down because he was so interested in what everyone had to say.

Years ago, I visited his house so he could review a warrant (he was covering for another judge, as usual). He invited the detective and I in and offered us dinner (I half expected him to offer us lodging as well). LOL. Wouldn't it be great if all of us put so much time into our relationships?

Manny always focused on what mattered most: people. Who can ever forget his coming out from behind the bench to address his jurors (or the standing ovations they gave him!)? He also tried hard to be fair and to follow the law. As a result, he was one of a handful of people liked by everyone; even the most tenacious lawyers on both sides of the bar.

He is irreplaceable.

Anonymous said...

As a private attorney he was always willing to help the younger lawyers, ready to dispense nuggets of wise advice. As a Judge he always treated the lawyers as Officers of the Court and everyone else with dignity and respect. He was irreverent and funny when the situation was right but took his duties seriously. He will be truly missed. When he became a Judge many of us lost a mentor, now we've lost a Judge that set the example on how to wear the black robes.

Anonymous said...

This note was emailed to the staff at the Public Defender's Office:

We regret to inform you that Judge Manuel "Manny" Crespo passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2006.

The viewing will be held Tuesday, January 10, 2006, from 5:00 p.m. to midnight at Caballero Rivero Woodlawn, 8200 S.W. 40th Street, Miami, FL, 305-227-3344. The mass will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of the Little Flower, 1270 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables. The burial will immediately follow at Flagler Memorial Park, 5301 W. Flagler Street, Miami.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in Judge Crespo's name.

Condolences may be sent to:

Mrs. Aracely Crespo
3916 S.W. 62nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33155.

Anonymous said...

I met Manny back in 1979 and he immediately won me over with his warmth and personality. We have been friends ever since. A man who did not know the meaning of no when asked to take on any task. A great judge but more importantly a great man who had touched thousands of lives. I will never forget him and his spirit will live on in this building he loved so much.

Anonymous said...

I recall how on one particular occasion when I appeared before Manny Crespo after not being before him for a few months he called me up to the bench after my hearing was concluded, held out his arm to me, and said, “You always have a friend in this court.” And that is truly how Judge Crespo made people feel, that he was a friend. He enjoyed speaking with (and listening to) lawyers, jurors, Corrections officers, and anybody who came into his courtroom. Because we can all recall how he would step down from the bench to address jurors, it would be a nice gesture of remembrance if perhaps the main juror assembly room in the Gerstein Building or some other suitable location could be named in his honor. He will be missed.

Anonymous said...

Manny was a special person and a friend to all those who met him. Even with all of his physical ailments of late, he continued to display a positive and jovial character which was his trademark. Anyone who knew Manny knows that he loved being a judge. However, he was never judgmental.

Manny was a gentle man with a heart of gold. He was passionate about his work and about dispensing justice. The only reward he sought was the satisfaction of knowing that he was serving the public and the law which dearly loved. Though Manny was called Honorable, he was worthy of the title. I can think of no better description for him. Now, our dear friend sits as a fixed star in the universe of jurist. He is missed.

Anonymous said...

Howard, I have proposed naming the Bond Hearing Courtroom in Manny's memory. Manny loved do bond hearings and it would be, in my opinion, a fitting tribute to the jurist who loved and respected everyone.

Anonymous said...

just a thought: perhaps judges should read these comments and ponder: i wonder what people would say about me. maybe i should be nicer to the litigants. maybe i should think about being nicer to the staff, the defendants, the people around me. maybe it's not all about me, the robed one.

Anonymous said...

I appeared before Judge Crespo as a new lawyer, only a few months out of law school. Most Judges, especially Circuit Judges treated me with little regard or respect. However, after a bond hearig in Judge Crespo's courtroom, he called me to his bench. I was sure he was going to admonish me for something I must have done wrong. However, he smiled at me, and said that I was doing a great job. he then asked where i went to law school and how long had I been practicing. I never forgot that day. And, now several years later, I am a stay at home mom and am no longer practicing law. However I have always found myself paying particular attention to cases in which i saw Judge Crespo presiding upon, in the news. And, sadly I saw the news yeasterday of his passing. he was such a kind man, but never compromised his responsibilities as a Judge. Everyone will say that he was gentle and kind, but he was not a push over, nor was he lenient on the defendants that came before him. I could go on and on. What a terrible loss...

Anonymous said...

Manny was genuinely kind and warm. He really cared for and respected people, no matter who they were, and shared his humor and interests with everyone. I've never known anyone who had so many close friends. I met Manny when I was a young ASA, and shared lots of coffee and plea negotiations with him in Cozzolli's (pre Pickle Barrel for the youngsters.)Manny was on the JNC when I applied, and he was my champion. There is tremendous sorrow in the world for his passing. Katie Pooler

Anonymous said...

For My Dear Friend, Manny Crespo


I was privileged and honored to have known Manny Crespo as a dear friend, confidant, “big
brother”, colleague, and mentor.

I was very fortunate to have been invited to move into the Crespo office in the early 1990's. In
the office, I shared space with Manny, his wife Aracely, and son, Manny, Jr. Once I moved into
the office, I was not just an office mate, I was part of the Crespo family. It was an honor I hold
very dear. Whenever Manny wanted to talk with me he would simply yell across the hallway,
G-R-O-S-S-M-A-N and I would respond, C-R-E-S-P-O. It was our little refrain that we said to
each other long after Manny became a Judge.

I watched Manny’s kindness and compassion overflow to all the people that he met.
Manny always had more concern for his clients than anyone I ever knew. If he got a client out on
a bond after being in jail, Manny always gave the client some money so he could take the
Metrorail or bus home. If the client was hungry, Manny would take his client downstairs to the
Pickle Barrel and buy them some food and sit and eat and talk with them. His door was always
open for his clients, fellow lawyers, friends, family members, and anyone else who needed
Manny’s help.

Manny loved to eat, and he knew all of the best restaurants in town. Much to our waistlines’
detriment, we went to lunch together several times a week. It would always take a very long time
to get to and from lunch because Manny knew so many people. We would be stopped in the
street, and stopped at least several times in the restaurant by people who knew and loved Manny.
Everyone from valet drivers and waiters to Judges and Congressmen would want to talk with
Manny. He was a people person and he was loved by all.

When Manny was elected to the Circuit Court bench, we decided that we would rather remain
dear friends, than for us to have to distance ourselves from one another so that I could practice in
front of him. As a result, I was on Manny’s permanent recusal list.

While I never practiced law in front of Manny, I watched as he patiently, and with great care,
dispensed justice. While his calendars were long, everyone who appeared in front of him from
defendants to prosecutors, defense lawyers, probation officers, corrections officers, police
officers, witnesses, and jurors, all felt that they had been treated fairly by Judge Crespo. He
listened to everyone and allowed everyone to speak their piece.

Manny’s life long dream was to become a Judge and when he accomplished that goal, he was the
happiest man alive. He loved being a judge so much and loved the law so much that he sent
around a memo to all of his fellow judges volunteering to do weekend bond hearings for them if
they needed him to. Many judges took him up on that offer and Manny became the bond hearing
king relishing his weekend bond hearings because it gave him the opportunity to be a judge even
on the weekends.

Manny also loved to greet and swear in the jurors. He was always happy to fill in for a fellow
judge for this job as well. I watched him on several occasions as he turned the routine job of
swearing in the jurors into a ceremony. Manny would give the jurors a speech about how they
lived in the greatest country on earth and how, without their service, the jury system could not
function. He would tell the jurors how his family escaped from Cuba to seek a better life in the
United States and how they all should be proud to serve as jurors in the greatest country on earth
with the greatest justice system on earth. By the time Manny finished his speech and swore the
jurors in, each and every person in the jury pool felt that they were needed, appreciated, and were
an integral part of the criminal justice system. Manny got standing ovations from the jurors for
his speeches. If a jury member was fortunate enough to be picked to serve on one of Manny’s
cases, they were treated to more history from Manny as well as pastelitos and Cuban coffee.

While there are thousands of Crespo stories I could tell (because everyday was an adventure with
Manny) one of my personal favorites is one that occurred at my home. It just goes to show you
that not only did people love Manny, but animals as well.

Manny and I served on a statewide Florida Bar ethics committee together that required us to
travel around the state of Florida for meetings. This particular meeting was held in Tampa and
the airfares at that time, from Miami to Tampa, were so high we decided to drive up and back to
Tampa in one day. Manny picked me up in the wee hours of the morning and we drove to Tampa
for our meeting. Of course, we had to stop at the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Naples on the way
up for breakfast and on the way back for a late lunch. When we got back to my house in Miami
we were both very tired from the long ride. Manny came into my house to rest for a few minutes
before heading home. Rather than rest, Manny got more stimulation than he bargained for.

When we got to my house, I had to let all of my animals out of the house, including my pet pig,
Princess. Manny wanted to see Princess so he accompanied me outside. Princess was supposed
to be a Vietnamese pot bellied pig, however, she must have been cross bred with a boar because
she was huge pig. At the time Manny was there, Princess was in heat. Princess took one whiff
of Manny and fell in love. Once Princess decided she was in love, there was no stopping her.
Princess proceed to try and mate with Manny many times. Manny wanted no part of that
nonsense and began to run. Princess, who could run very fast in short spurts, caught up with
Manny each and every time and cornered Manny and began her mating ritual. I had never seen
anything so funny in my life. There was Manny, dressed in a business suit, running around in
circles, trying to evade the advances of a pig. After I got my laughing under control, I was able
to save Manny from the amorous Princess and keep his dignity and honor in tack.

Manny, my dear friend, my confidant, my mentor, my “big brother” you have left a big hole in
my heart. I will miss you beyond what words can express. I hope you know what an impact you
made on my life and the lives of your wonderful family, colleagues, friends, and acquaintances.
You will be dearly missed by all. I love you.

Gail Grossman

Anonymous said...

McGillis also falsely accused Ricky Martin of being raped by a man. Wow!

http://www.elsalvador.com/noticias/EDICIONESANTERIORES/junio19/ESPECTACULOS/espec5.html

Anonymous said...

It is a year and two months that Manny Crespo is no more with us. I still miss him.

A real valuable being that has many comparatives but no competition. The Circuit Court has a big hole, he has gone to his creator.

I was shocked to see a good man confined to a wooden casket. I was once unbalanced by the sight before, when I saw my dad being packaged that way.

I helped him when I could. I got him national and international attention that may have helped him get elected, when that tv show had credentials.

I am glad to have known Manny, I knew he was not a phony and he knew I am not. We met, not close but for a purpose I knew him and he knew me. Why ? I do not know.

I do not practice criminal law. I learn how to hate criminal law after enduring John Yetter, from F.S.U. So here is no practice "experience", but a sane, cordial and human sapience of knowing a guy who had no hidden motive.

Being a Cuban, as I, by birth and by right, of soil and genetics, Manny Crespo is a true memory of a kind being in all the forms he had the opportunity to engage his true soul. He was like jolly, affable, kind, true with no gimmicks, ended like he intended, a true child going home to God.

Still miss him. Aracely and kids, you were lucky to have him as a truly significant component of your family. I was lucky to just being an acquaintence of him.

LMP