The Marquis de Sade Defense: Former Judge Claims To Have Been Schooling Inmates Allegedly Raped and Spanked in His Chambers

Former Mobile County Circuit Judge Herman is offering a defense in his criminal case that may strike some as more appropriate for the Marquis de Sade than an Alabama jurist. Accused of having inmates brought to his chamber for sex and spanking, Herman insists that he was trying to rehabilitate and educate the men.

There are 11 alleged victims — down from 15 with 50 counts (also a reduction from the original indictment).

His defense attorney Robert Clark insists that Thomas, 48, was just “mentoring them. He was trying to get them to do right, to be productive citizens.”

One of the former inmates has testified that he is not sure why his semen was found on the judge’s carpet, but admitted that he was spanked with a belt by the judge on several occasions.

The prosecutors insist that these inmates were given preferential treatment by the court. Conversely, when some refused, the judge allegedly gave them excessive sentences.

If the judge ultimately admits to the paddling, it will be awfully hard to convince that the forensic and testimonial evidence does not show a less than educational approach to justice.

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