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Now that you are sucked in it isn't what you think!
http://www.kvue.com/news/state/stories/102604cccakvuejudgeparty.2aa6f80c.html
Judge who threw party for prisoner has tough reputation
10:22 PM CDT on Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Associated Press
DALLAS — Questions are being raised about a Dallas judge throwing a courtroom party to sentence a former fugitive to life in prison. KDFW-TV reports Judge Faith Johnson hosted a party Monday – with balloons and a cake – for Billy Wayne Williams.
The 53-year-old with a long criminal history was convicted in absentia of aggravated assault after he disappeared during his trial last November.
Williams was accused of choking his girlfriend.
He was caught last week in Arlington.
The judge didn't immediately return calls today for comment.
Here's some reaction:
• Seana Willing is executive director of the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct. Willing learned about the incident through news accounts, and she said she was concerned the party might have violated the judge's requirement to remain neutral and detached. Willing says the commission could decide to investigate the incident. Judges found guilty of misconduct face a range of discipline, from a private warning to removal from the bench.
• SMU law professor Bill Dorsaneo says it sounds like a "completely screwball" type of activity. Dorsaneo says he's not sure if it crosses any ethical lines, but the behavior is very unusual and he's never heard of anything like it being done.
• Trent Touchstone with the U.S. Marshal's service says the judge took a special interest in the case after Williams escaped on the bond she set after the 2002 crime. Touchstone called the party a "great idea."
• Prosecutor Trey Crutcher says he asked Johnson back then not to allow bond for Williams, who had escaped from prison decades before while serving time for killing his wife. But Crutcher said the judge lowered bond after testimony from Williams' girlfriend, who was a hostile witness.
• Dallas Bar Association president Rhonda Hunter says Johnson is fun-loving in personal life, but in the courtroom she's a stickler for rules and demands that attorneys be prepared.
Now what the above doesn't make clear unless you saw the actual footage-
The guy was unaware this was going to happen and when the guy was brought in the Judge was very sarcastic isn a sickly sweet way. The judge said welcome home, parties for you etc. and then I sentence you to life in prison! That's the kind of party I'll skip!
CT
http://www.kvue.com/news/state/stories/102604cccakvuejudgeparty.2aa6f80c.html
Judge who threw party for prisoner has tough reputation
10:22 PM CDT on Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Associated Press
DALLAS — Questions are being raised about a Dallas judge throwing a courtroom party to sentence a former fugitive to life in prison. KDFW-TV reports Judge Faith Johnson hosted a party Monday – with balloons and a cake – for Billy Wayne Williams.
The 53-year-old with a long criminal history was convicted in absentia of aggravated assault after he disappeared during his trial last November.
Williams was accused of choking his girlfriend.
He was caught last week in Arlington.
The judge didn't immediately return calls today for comment.
Here's some reaction:
• Seana Willing is executive director of the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct. Willing learned about the incident through news accounts, and she said she was concerned the party might have violated the judge's requirement to remain neutral and detached. Willing says the commission could decide to investigate the incident. Judges found guilty of misconduct face a range of discipline, from a private warning to removal from the bench.
• SMU law professor Bill Dorsaneo says it sounds like a "completely screwball" type of activity. Dorsaneo says he's not sure if it crosses any ethical lines, but the behavior is very unusual and he's never heard of anything like it being done.
• Trent Touchstone with the U.S. Marshal's service says the judge took a special interest in the case after Williams escaped on the bond she set after the 2002 crime. Touchstone called the party a "great idea."
• Prosecutor Trey Crutcher says he asked Johnson back then not to allow bond for Williams, who had escaped from prison decades before while serving time for killing his wife. But Crutcher said the judge lowered bond after testimony from Williams' girlfriend, who was a hostile witness.
• Dallas Bar Association president Rhonda Hunter says Johnson is fun-loving in personal life, but in the courtroom she's a stickler for rules and demands that attorneys be prepared.
Now what the above doesn't make clear unless you saw the actual footage-
The guy was unaware this was going to happen and when the guy was brought in the Judge was very sarcastic isn a sickly sweet way. The judge said welcome home, parties for you etc. and then I sentence you to life in prison! That's the kind of party I'll skip!
CT
