The judicial rubber stamp has been used often and usually done to cover the nasty mistakes of fellow judges. This is what we're witnessing with this case, in spades! I always thought 'de novo' meant from the start, as in start over and consider ALL records and any new evidence. But then again, for years I was under the mistaken impression that Judges actually wanted Justice not agenda to drive the court system.
No one should have a job for life, there is no reason in the world for that. It allows for some real incompetant people to ruin an organization. If nothing else judges should be subject to recall.