Was there ever a better name for a trial lawyer than "Kayo"? Because many times that's what he did to his opponent's case at trial.
The stories about Kayo are legendary, and a few must be told here, starting with the infamous Monkey.
Kayo had a pet monkey, that's just the type of guy he was. And as the Monkey got older, he developed some medical conditions, like we all do as we age. Kayo was set for trial in the Keys, his Monkey was ill and needed constant medical attention, so he filed a motion to continue, which the judge denied. So Kayo, being Kayo, showed up to try the case, with the Monkey as co-counsel!
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| Kayo's Monkey Smooch, during a break in the proceedings. Really. |
The judge was not amused, and held Kayo in contempt. So guess what Kayo did? From the Sun Sentinel Article:
Morgan propped the monkey on his shoulder while questioning a witness at the contempt hearing.
That alone gets Kayo immediate entry to the trial lawyer hall of fame.
We did an entire post on Kayo and the Monkey, here.
But don't think that Kayo was a fool or a buffoon. Nothing could be further from the truth. He was a hell-of-a trial lawyer who took on the most difficult cases, and won more than his share of them.
We first came across Kayo when we were in Judge Sepe's courtroom waiting to call a case, and this somewhat scruffy, unshaven man in jeans, cowboy boots, and a string-bolo tie, approached the podium, announced his appearance, and called a case for trial.
As Sepe was inquiring whether he was an attorney, Kayo reached into his file and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper that was either an appellate opinion, a bar opinion, or an AG opinion, stating that he could not be required to wear a suit and tie while trying a case. Sepe was momentarily flummoxed, and then allowed the case to go forward. The next day we were present for the verdict: not guilty.
Kayo Morgan was sui generis. He was one of a kind. Rest in peace.
very sad ---
ReplyDeletei know of a former judge that had a monkey as a pet when he was a child.
haddad is a cheap imitation
ReplyDeleteI was up in Broward yesterday and read the obit in the Sun Setinnel. Great attorney. Fought the good fight, for his clients, and then himself. My prayers go out to his daughter Kayla and his entire family.
ReplyDeleteCap
Who was the judge in the Keys who put him in jail?
ReplyDeleteReagan Toomey.
DeleteSo, Moe had a parott he would walk around with the bird on his shoulder. And he lived in his chambers during his divorce proceedings. My favorite is at calendar call his baliff would bark out like it was the US supreme court and make all stand. What a dufus.
ReplyDeleteBreaking....
ReplyDeleteThe Miami Beach police department just announced the hiring of Darren Wilson, previously of Ferguson, Missouri. In making the announcement, the chief of mbpd commented that he believed officer Wilson's hiring would further bolster the fine tradition of law enforcement on the beach. The hialeah pd and city of Miami announced their disappointment that officer Wilson chose the beach over their departments.
Usually the monkey in the courtroom is the one wearing the robe.
ReplyDeleteKeep calm and Shumie on.
ReplyDeleteWho was the old-timer PD who used to use a live alligator during voir dire? Before my time, sometime mid-70s.
ReplyDeleteYou'd never get a creature that size in the building anymore.
Check out TMZ.
ReplyDeleteShumie time for the Cos.
Real Fake Former Judge is knocking them dead with his wonderful portrayal of Puck in a Midsummer's night dream at Phase III Del Boca Vista Condos. Who knew he had the theater in his blood?
ReplyDeleteKayo Morgan was my brother. He was the best brother someone could have. He was a star running back in high school, he was top of his law class, even though he rarely attended class. Passed the bar with ease the very first time. Prosecutors were afraid of him, and judges, envy him. I miss him very much. We made each other laugh. Faught cancer for three years and never complained. He allowed two clients to live in his house because they had nowhere to go. He allowed a homeless man to sleep in the back of his car outside of his house because he had nowhere to live. the world would not be in the shambles today it is today if everyone live their life like Kayo Morgan.
ReplyDelete