Posted on 12/15/2004 7:34:12 AM PST by FairfaxVA
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - A judge refused to delay a trial Tuesday when an attorney objected to his wearing a judicial robe with the Ten Commandments embroidered on the front in gold.
Circuit Judge Ashley McKathan showed up Monday at his Covington County courtroom in southern Alabama wearing the robe. Attorneys who try cases at the courthouse said they had not seen him wearing it before. The commandments were described as being big enough to read by anyone near the judge. Attorney Riley Powell, defending a client charged with DUI, filed a motion objecting to the robe and asking that the case be continued. He said McKathan denied both motions. "I feel this creates a distraction that affects my client," Powell said.
'Difference Between Right and Wrong'
McKathan told The Associated Press that he believed the Ten Commandments represent the truth, "and you can't divorce the law from the truth. ... The Ten Commandments can help a judge know the difference between right and wrong."
He said he didn't believe the commandments on his robe would have an adverse effect on jurors.
"I had a choice of several sizes of letters. I purposely chose a size that would not be in anybody's face," he said.
The case raised comparisons to former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore, who was removed from office in 2003 for refusing to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the rotunda of the Alabama Judicial Building in Montgomery.
'Moral Basis of Our Law'
Moore said Tuesday that he supported McKathan's decision to wear the Ten Commandments robe.
"I applaud Judge McKathan. It is time for our judiciary to recognize the moral basis of our law," Moore said.
Powell said if he lost his case, he expected the judge's wearing of the Ten Commandments robe to be part of an appeal.
All ready posted
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1301851/posts
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Do you think he wears his emotions on his sleeve?
The swarm of ACLU lawyers that will descend upon this man should be biblical as well.
-"I feel this creates a distraction that affects my client," Powell said."-
Oh no! A distraction for your drunk-driving client! How horrible!
Proud to say I am from Alabama!
"Al[laws] however may be arranged in two classes.1.Divine
2. Human. .. But it should always be remembered that thi slaw,natural or revealed,made for men or nations,flows from the same Divine source; It is the Law of God.Human law must rest its authority ultimately upon the authority of that law which is Divine.James Wilson,signer of the Declaration of Independence, and US constitution, appointed to the US S.Ct. by George Washingotn on Philly lecture "Of the General Principles of Law and Obligation." Seems the Circuit Judge in Ala. knows Law.HeeeYaa
In hers/his court room, The Judge is THE BOSS.
In hers/his court room, The Judge is THE BOSS.
That statement should be repeated.
Next time I decide to relocate, I'm going to Alabama. What a great state. Altho, Indiana is pretty good too.
If the attorney practices before the US Supreme Court, s(he) will be even more shocked - - - X Commandment symbols are embedded in the court decorations, and have been since the courtroom was built. "Get used to it"!
If the attorney practices before the US Supreme Court, s(he) will be even more shocked - - - X Commandment symbols are embedded in the court decorations, and have been since the courtroom was built. "Get used to it"!
You two keep repeating things, an old family habit perhaps?
Awsome bumps
BTT
It's his robe.
Me, too.
Are y'all posting from the same nursing home?
For all you Nervous Nellies enamored the phrase "pushing their agenda down our throat," this judge is for you.
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