Naphtali always cut a unique figure in the REGJB, with bright orange hair, and a 100 watt smile to match. He is a good guy.
Lets all pause a minute and meditate and send Naphtali good and healing thoughts.
Thursday, June 01, 2017
NAPHTALI WACKS CLINGS TO LIFE
Courtesy of ace Herald reporter David Ovalle, comes this tragic story here of local REGJB regular Naphtali Wacks who lies in a hospital, grievously injured on the way to court this week by a Miami-Beach hit and run driver.
Naphtali always cut a unique figure in the REGJB, with bright orange hair, and a 100 watt smile to match. He is a good guy.
Lets all pause a minute and meditate and send Naphtali good and healing thoughts.
Naphtali always cut a unique figure in the REGJB, with bright orange hair, and a 100 watt smile to match. He is a good guy.
Lets all pause a minute and meditate and send Naphtali good and healing thoughts.
There are a few REG denizens who are ready-made for Hollywood. Alex Michaels, of course. Larry Handfield. Naphtali is another. I never even knew his name, but when you saw him in a courthouse hallways you had to remember it's impolite to stare.
ReplyDeleteHe fascinates and no doubt added color to our day to day lives.
Here's hoping for a full recovery.
A very fine young man and competent lawyer is how I remember Naphtali. What a shame that he fell viciim to another of the so many dregs of society who now inhabit a once great city. Extremely upsetting. If the first judge had set a more appropriate bond, like $100,000, Naphtali likely would have been spared. But that might have upset the defense bar.
ReplyDeleteSorry judge but you're showing your prosecution colors. Why would a bond of 100K be "more appropriate"? Bonds are meant to do one thing only- assure the appearance of the individual. But somehow, you feel a bondsman making 10,000 in premiums instead of 3,000 in premiums is "more appropriate". The man who was arrested is presumed innocent. What if the police have sought the wrong person?
ReplyDeleteThere is a time for punishment, but at the bond stage is not the time, although blood-thirsty prosecutors and judges who fear the Herald seem to think otherwise.
Actually, bonds are NOT only meant to do one thing. Fla. R. Crim. Pro. 3.131(b) says "The judicial officer shall impose the first of the following conditions of release that will reasonably protect the community from risk of physical harm to persons, assure the presence of the accused at trial, or assure the integrity of the judicial process...". I'm surprised you don't know that.
DeleteSo yea, a higher bond on a repeat offender could mean the difference between life and death for an innocent bystander.
His prior criminal history and federal probation status called for a higher bond. Nothing to do with a bondsman making a premium. Let's not forget a bond also considers a danger to society. Clearly this guy is.
ReplyDeleteGodspeed to a recovery counselor
This is such a horrible, senseless tragedy. He is in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteThat piece of GARBAGE driver should be held with no bond. He was on Federal Probation. If I was the judge, there is no way he is getting a $30k bond. I am so sad. This is a tragedy. I didn't know this lawyer - but what a crime to take his life away from him in such a criminal manner. I would sentence him to life after a guilty verdict and never feel bad. God bless the victim.
ReplyDeleteThe alleged miscreant is not exactly on "probation."
ReplyDeleteA quick PACER search revealed that in 2014 he was sentenced to prison for 48 months to be followed by 3 years' supervised release for a drug offense in the Southern District of Florida. The BOP website shows that he was released from federal custody on April 18, 2017, so he is on supervised release.
I didn't know NHW well, but this is a tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with him.
Never knew his name or never spoke with him but always wondered. Hoping for a quick recovery.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how a high bond would've protected Naphtali. Last time I looked the constitution guaranteed a reasonable bond. The heavy influence of the remnants of the soviet union is being felt on this page. When the defendant gets convicted then you can punish him, If you don't like anti-authoritarian constitutional principles then turn in your bar card and move to a country with a system more in line with your values. Russia and the Philippines seem to befit a person of your sensibilities.
ReplyDeleteDoes a state court judge have authority to determine the conditions of release, or non release, in a federal court violation of supervised release? The secret judge must have a secret education.
ReplyDeleteWho is for the defense of the alleged spinal cord severer? Pitchforks, anyone?
ReplyDeleteJudge Hanzman is just excellent. He needs to be in the federal court.
ReplyDeletePlease stay a Judge and never get frustrated with the system.
I knew Naphtali. We both did the "wheel" and had solo practices. I ran into him in court so much that one day we went to watch the Dolphins practice. He was a kind man with a sense of humor and near brilliant legal mind. The first post had to mention his physical appearance and it is not polite to stare. He defended the poor and was ethical. He did not make a lot of money or flash it. He was shunned by the cool people and the unethical bastards that permeate the RJB that put money above all else. And then to engage in infantile discussions about bonds on a post to celebrate the life of a dying man with a severed spine. So many of you have no class. If you were to look past his physical appearance and poor taste in clothes you would have seen a man who epitomizes what this profession and criminal defense is supposed to be. He was a fine man.
ReplyDeleteI have been advising the readers of this blog even before Judge Hanzman came to the REG that he is one of the few true judges in this circuit that is top drawer. He does not tolerate fools lightly and when he was in civil often knew more about the case than the lawyers litigating it. Its just too bad we have life long folks who drink at the public trough their whole miserable lives first at the SAO then move on to wearing the robes they are not fit to wear. And have little or no life experience and have never signed a paycheck.
ReplyDelete12:54- the first comment didn't specifically mention his physical appearance. It did say it's not polite to stare. Even the Herald article called him "rumpled". He cut a unique figure in the courthouse and I have been very diligent in making sure no nasty comments have been posted. But it is fair to note he was always a bit rumpled and unique in appearance.
ReplyDeleteAny update on his present status? All of us wish him a Refuah shlaimah !!! DMD
ReplyDeleteNot sure it's impolite to mention a good lawyer looks a bit rumpled. Sy Gaer comes to mind.
ReplyDeleteWhen you defend the little guy a $3000 custom suit is a little jarring. God bless Mr. Wacks whatever the future holds for him.
He passed away.
ReplyDeleteMy brother Naphtali passed away on Saturday and was buried yesterday afternoon at Beth David Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Hollywood, Florida. He was passionate about the law and his work at your courthouse.
ReplyDeleteOur brother Naphtali Wacks passed away on Saturday at 1:00 pm. He was buried at Beth David Memorial Gardens yesterday afternoon. He was passionate about the law and loved working at your Court House. He will be sorely missed.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/naphtali-wacks-obituary?pid=1000000185710767
ReplyDeletehttp://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/naphtali-wacks-obituary?pid=1000000185710767
ReplyDeleteApparently he didn't make it. What a horroble tragedy. So incredibly sad. My prayers are with his family.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article154389634.html
He passed on Saturday.
ReplyDeleteNaphtali Wacks Esq died on Saturday from his injuries--BDE ---DMD
ReplyDeleteMr. Wacks passed away on Saturday. RIP.
ReplyDelete