We didn't know him very well, but his reputation was one of a kind, caring, and decent man and dedicated Judge.
Like so many of his colleagues on the Miami bench, Judge Rodriguez-Chomat's story is one of an immigrant from Cuba whose family came here seeking a better life.
Here is the Herald obit, which recalled the contretemps that erupted when he gave a defendant thirty days for giving him the finger during bond hearings. Here's the
The Funeral is Tuesday.
Chief Judge Soto and Judge Martin Zilber will give the obituary at the service which will be well attended.
ReplyDeleteHe actually only served one six year term on the bench. He filed against incumbent Judge William Johnson who had planned to run and serve one more term on the bench before he retired. Chomat filed at the last minute and caught Johnson off guard. Rather than face almost certain defeat Johnson withdrew at the filing deadline and Chomat won the seat without campaigning a day. Chomat only planned to serve one term because of his age. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family on their loss.
ReplyDeleteHopefully his legacy will be more than that of some Hialeah trash giving him the bird. More great journalism from the herald and this anonymous blogger
ReplyDeleteCaptain Justice writes: "Rather than face almost certain defeat Johnson withdrew at the filing deadline..."
ReplyDeleteHmmm, wonder why that is.
Amazing for as much as this blog decries "racism" and does not hesitate to call people Nazis and fascists, it has taken no position on the issue of Hispanics voting out black judges. Odd.
Was Judge Zilber and Judge Chomat best friends? I didn't know that? Judge Zilber is a great judge. He cares about everyone.
ReplyDeleteTrump picks Zilber and Lurvey to lead war in Afghanistan. The dynamic duo were huddled at the Pentagon yesterday planning strategy.
ReplyDeleteJudge Martin Zilber = the 2017 version of our beloved Judge Murray Meyerson
ReplyDeleteWe don't call people Nazis and we haven't decried racism. We don't think "Hispanics" vote anyone in or out. Or Jews. Or African Americans. Or Asians. We think people vote as individuals. We have yet to see a "Hispanic" line at the polling place.
ReplyDeletewe do think 11:49, based on all objective evidence, is a slobbering fool.
Judge Chomat never stepped into a criminal courtroom until he was in his mid sixties. Within a few short weeks he was as good a judge as anyone in the Gerstein building. He had the most indispensable of qualities, he listened and was willing to learn from the relative kids who practiced in front of him. He had the guts to make decisions and the wisdom to get them right. He was bright, humble and empathetic. He must have been ill for some time but he didn't permit his illness to interfere with his duty. He was a pleasant and refreshing surprise. It is a shame he died, we need more like him. Rest in peace Judge. You did good.
ReplyDeleteFor those who may have known him, John B. Lurvey (Father of Dan Lurvey), passed away last week in his beloved Maggie Valley, NC. John was a long-time Crime Scene Investigator and Bomb Squad Technician for MDPD. I had several Homicide cases with him as a prosecutor in the 1980s. A very good man. He will be missed.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the PDO for getting their client life in Miami's first post-Hurst death case. Sorry Gail, no blood for you.
ReplyDeleteOnly on a lawyer blog do you mudslinging
ReplyDeleteIt may be that 11:49 is suggesting that voters in general have an unconscious bias against black people and that, given a choice between a black and a non-black judicial candidate, unconscious bias pushes non-black voters towards non-black candidates. I think 11:49's suggestion merits discussion.
ReplyDeleteUnconscious bias has great impact in a judicial race, because no one outside our field knows how to evaluate the candidates. Unconscious bias fills the void. And everyone has bias.
Of course, even where there are legitimate criteria for deciding among candidates in other contexts, bias is a factor. That's why we have affirmative action programs.
I also agree with 11:49 that people should not be called Nazis for having racist thoughts. 11:49 believes that if you're conscientious about keeping your bias in check, so that it does not influence your words and deeds, you should not be called a Nazi.
I disagree with Rumpole's assessment of the "objective evidence." 11:49 is not "a slobbering fool." He is simply too subtle for Rumpole.
Judge Zilber's speech today was heartfelt and genuine. He has got what it takes to lead the judges as a chief judge.
ReplyDeleteThe only person who likes Zilber is Zilber.
ReplyDelete12:13 pm comment.....is that you Zilber? Get back to work.
ReplyDeleteEw. Stop mentioning judge zilber. He's dumb
ReplyDeleteI agree with 6:00. It is almost indisputable that perceptions of race play a role in judicial elections where the average voter knows nothing about the candidates. Rumpole's response is that he has yet to see the Hispanic line at the polling place. Really? Seriously? That's so ridiculously unpersuasive. In fact, sounds exactly like one of trump's cutesy BS comebacks to any ohe of the millions of serious questions he refuses to answer. Even more like trump is the inexplicable need to call 11:49 a slobbering fool for really no reason whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteThe only question now is if 11:49 = 6:00 = me
I had very limited appearances before Judge Chomat. However I was impressed with his judicial demeanor and courtesy to counsel. In family court he wrote his own orders even if they were not totally correct with grammar. But he got the legal issues nailed. Even when he ruled against me I understood his reasoning and it was correct. Although he will not go down as a judicial giant due to his short term, he was heads above 90% of the sitting judges currently. Hanzman is the best and smartest and its unfair to compare others to him........
ReplyDelete