Goodman juror pressured

Posted on April 30th, 2012

It ain’t over ’till the fat lady sings. And she ain’t gonna sing for a long time.

Most jurors make their mind up after opening statement. At least that’s what the research tells us. Michael St. John was most likely the lone soul who told the truth. Black doesn’t give up. Even objecting to the judge asking leading questions. You gotta love him. Sentencing for Goodman is set May 11th at 1:30 p.m. Colbath will deny the defendant’s motions – whatever they are – motion for new trial, etc. Black will have an additional argument on appeal.

Perhaps one of the best issues on appeal is the denial of the venue motion. There’s no way Goodman got a fair trial here. Go to Miami and nobody knows squat about Goodman. What’s the big deal with a venue change anyway? It should have been granted. Give the defense one less issue on appeal and give Goodman a fair trial.

Here’s some of Jane Musgrave’s live blogging below and the PB Post article is here.

2:28

Jane Musgrave:

Next up: Michael St. John

2:30

Jane Musgrave:

Colbath: Before the deliberations began, did you overheard any conversations between jurors that they had their minds made up?
St. John: Yes. They said, “we know he’s guilty. Let’s just sign the paperwork and get out of here.” Acknowledged that the words were different but that was the sentiment.

2:30

Jane Musgrave:

St. John: I thought people had their minds made up.

2:31

Jane Musgrave:

Colbath: The verdict you rendered, was that an accurate reflection of your view.
St. John: NO
Colbath: So, you think he’s not guilty?
St. John: Yes

2:32

Jane Musgrave:

Colbath: Why didn’t you tell me that?
St. John: I didn’t feel the whole process was right. People wanted to get out of here.
“I was making the decision because of the pressure I got from them… I kind of went along.”

2:39

Jane Musgrave:

Next up: aspiring author: Dennis DeMartin

2:41

Jane Musgrave:

Colbath: Did your decision to write a book, did that influence your decision?
Demartin: NO. If the book came out, it would show me and another juror voted not guilty on the first round.

2:44

Jane Musgrave:

No, the alternate Ruby DeLano started it all by contacting Roy Black after, she says, she tried unsuccessfully to reach Colbath.

Posted in criminal lawyers

The race to rat

Posted on April 25th, 2012

Federal court is the race to see who rats first. Unfortunately, that’s the truth about most co-defendant cases in federal court. Lenient sentences, 5k1, substantial assistance, R35. I had a federal client tell me once “At first I was pissed that I got ratted out. Then I found out inside that’s just the way it is. Now I’m doing it. I gotta get mine.” It is disheartening in a way that we are more sentencing lawyers than trial lawyers in federal court. On the other hand, the feds don’t indict everyone. That’s for state court to do.

NY Times reports about the first BP criminal indictment. The engineer is a low level player charged with obstruction for deleting evidence. There will be more. I still don’t get gas there.

Judge Joe Marx did not get a challenger. Of course, Krista did not file for State Attorney either. Joe is now distracted by training for the Iron Man. You have to be a tough dude to compete in the Iron Man.

State Attorney badges all have Antonacci’s name. What a waste of taxpayer’s dollars. Old pictures on the new badges though.

The state court judges that were up for reelection are breathing a sigh of relief. Some of them at least.

Posted in criminal lawyers

Judge Nelson Bailey honored by PBACDL

Posted on April 20th, 2012

PBACDL’s annual judicial reception was a success. Last night, we honored Judge Nelson Bailey. His words were short and sweet. Can’t say the same for Mitch Beers. Love ya Mitch, but you gotta keep it short. Current president Glenn Mitchell spoke too. Glenn also handed him the award for his remarkable commitment to fairness and courage.

There were about 30 judges – mostly state court judges. Federal judge Marra was there and 4th DCA judge Stevensen as well.

Dave Aronberg stopped by. So did Dave Kerner, who is running for a state house seat. Ken Lemoine showed up and even shook hands with Pete Evans. It was a little weird though.

Great event honoring Nelson Bailey.

Posted in Nelson Bailey

More contested judicial races

Posted on April 19th, 2012

UPDATE:

Former assistant public defender Margarita Downey filed against Jimmy Martz today. Also, former Miami federal prosecutor Dina Keever filed for State Attorney. Keever is a Republican. She is of counsel to Lewis Tein of Miami. Her office address is in Miami.

From the website:

Dina has extensive courtroom experience. She has first-chaired twenty federal and state jury trials. She has written over forty federal appellate briefs and successfully argued numerous appeals in the United States Courts of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the Third Circuit. Dina has received several awards from both the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Customs Service for her courtroom contributions to federal law enforcement.

Last time we had a former federal prosecutor as State Attorney, it was a disaster. Three-way race now for the State Attorney’s office.

I confirmed with the supervisor of elections that Ken Lemoine filed this morning against Judge Peter “Bullfrog” Evans.

Jane Sullivan filed against former judge Fast Eddie Garrison.

Ken ran for judge twice before. He ran against French. He ran against Lisa Small too. Ken was a former West Palm Beach cop. Ken does family law. I used to see him in criminal court, but I haven’t seen him there in quite some time.

Pete has been on the bench forever. Some lawyers have complained about him. I have found Pete to more pleasant over the last year. Pete played the harp at the lawyer’s variety show. Hence the name “Bullfrog.”

Jane nearly beat Ted. Jane got 49% of the vote. Garrison has been a career judge. He is in the drop. Now he wants to be a judge again. That aint’ right. He needs to retire. Jane will be courteous and respectful to everyone in front of her.

Posted in judge's race, judge's seats up