We have been following the bizarre case of former Mobile County Circuit Judge Herman Thomas who is accused of ordering the male inmates be brought to his chambers where he would spank them and have sex with them. With the judge facing trial on various criminal charges, the case took another strange turn when a former inmate charged in a lawsuit that his former attorney coerced him into testifying against the judge. The case of Willie Pearson was dropped after he accused attorney Joe Kulakowski of threatening him. However, the prosecutor insists that the other cases will proceed as planned for trial.
Thomas now has 14 cases against him and the trial is in the jury selection stage. The trial could begin as soon as today.
While Thomas insists that he is entirely innocent, a forensic examination matched a semen stain on his carpet to one of the nine alleged victims.
Thomas, 48, has insisted that this is all due to race: “Did you ever think of the fact that this is the only black circuit judge we’ve ever had in Mobile County, and that the right-wing Republicans have gotten rid of him?” His attorney echoed the sentiment, telling CNN “[t]he South hasn’t changed all that much.”
Thomas is married with a wife and daughters. He is facing serious jail time, including a potential for effective life imprisonment for such charges as kidnapping. It is an interesting charge since he presumably kidnapped the inmates by arranging them to be brought to him by deputies.
The civil claims against the attorney presents some novel issues. First, the defense will likely want to get in such evidence, but, with that individual case dropped, the prosecutors are likely to oppose on the ground that it is not relevant. Second, the attorney could face a criminal and bar investigation. The prosecutor would be in a strange position since he believes there is a basis for the allegations as a whole. Moreover, the attorney could claim that he was merely trying to assist the prosecution while also strengthening any potential civil action against the judge.
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“Thomas, 48, has insisted that this is all due to race: “Did you ever think of the fact that this is the only black circuit judge we’ve ever had in Mobile County, and that the right-wing Republicans have gotten rid of him?” His attorney echoed the sentiment, telling CNN “[t]he South hasn’t changed all that much.”
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Actual victims of racial discrimination and those outraged by the practice should rightly take offense at the cynical manipulation on display here. The Judge may be many things, but a victim of discrimination seems the least of them. He might as well claim victimhood as the “only bow-tied judge we’ve ever had in Mobile County.”
Mespo:
He was certainly meating out justice:)
With all due respect, are we lynching him, before a Verdict of Guilt is established beyond a mere stain on the floor? Would that be cir-cum-stantial evidence? Some people find bald, bow-tied, black fellows beautiful.
I do know a bit about southern judicial hospitality. It is as egregious as any other, but done with true hospitality.
Byron:
Touche’
Gives new meaning to “here comes da judge” doesn’t it?
I’ve made it a rule to never trust a man in a bow tie unless he’s wearing a tuxedo and even then it’s conditional.
I can see that according to this example and George Will that this was a wise policy decision.
And to the regulars – Do your mother’s know you pun with a mouths like that! For shame! I come in here and find you guys just jerking the English language around!
I just wish I had gotten here before the really good ones were taken.
BIL,
The only bad pun is the one you didn’t think of first.
Given his preference for male victims perhaps, “All rise for the honorable Judge…”
Does anyone know if he’s a Democrat or a Republican judge? It’s not in Prof. Turley’s piece, who apparently also is a big fan of the game, “Name That Party”.
Mothman,
I just saw your post, but do you think that they were playing “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.”
I am so sorry.
Buddha,
I usually wear a bow tie to court. So as far as I can tell, your policy is sound.
Seamus:
how are the “Pampered Peckers” doing?
A little late,but thanks for making me laugh,first thing this morning.
Byron,
Thanks for your interest. The Pampered Peckers are gearing up for our natinal tour. Unfortunately our first drummer, Fritz “Skid Marks” Johnson, was killed during a routine bikini wax last month. If you know any drummers please let me know a.s.a.p.
seamus,
It sounds like you need a guy whose good with rim shots.