Posted on 04/02/2021 4:19:11 PM PDT by BenLurkin
The judge, a former Los Angeles prosecutor, addressed the lawyers sharply and sarcastically, according to a transcription of his remarks, and turned down their requests to release the defendants.
“OK,” Connolly told one of the lawyers. “I’m going to stop you there. Because we’re done. All right. I am not releasing either of these people, with these charges. There are multiple charges. If you wished to present this evidence, you should have been here or had someone represent you.”
The commission said the attorneys appeared polite and respectful, and there was “no apparent justification for the judge’s display of impatience and irritation.”
The other incident cited by the commission occurred on Aug. 20, 2018.
After a jury had acquitted a criminal defendant and left the courtroom, Connolly told the defendant, “Let me tell you, you’ve been given a gift from God because there’s no question in my mind that you’re guilty of this crime.”
The written admonishment order said the comment disparaged the jury’s decision and undermined faith in the criminal justice system.
“Judge Connolly’s remark was likely to undermine public confidence in the independence of the jury and its important role in the justice system.”
“Further,” the admonishment added, “contrary to Judge Connolly’s assertion, a judge does not have a duty to advise a criminal defendant that the defendant has been given the gift of an acquittal. While a judge may encourage a defendant to make better choices and take advantage of opportunities in the future, the judge must not do so at the expense of the jury and its verdict. “
The commission also publicly admonished Connolly in 2016 for abusing his authority and mistreating a defense lawyer and privately admonished him in 2010 for using profanity in his chambers and during discussions with lawyers.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
And yet...it happens all the time.
The Judge has 150 cases to adjudicate and does not have the time to placate a lawyer’s ego after the decision has been rendered.
Every parent understands at some time you just have to give the 5 year old a time out; or they will be pleading for more ice cream all day.
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