Might as well have "swept her ashes under the rug," considering all the tough-talk about the "renegade judges" duing the two weeks she was starved and dehydrated to death that went for naught -- tough-talk that was nothing more than typical political hot air.
Disorder in court? Demers demurs
HOWARD TROXLER. St. Petersburg Times
Jun 14, 2005
True news item: Charles W. Cope, then a Pinellas-Pasco circuit judge, is arrested while attending a judicial conference in California. Police accuse him of trying to enter a hotel room occupied by two women. The arrest is kept secret by Pinellas' chief judge for months.
True news item: Months after the voters fire Circuit Judge Bonnie Newton, as the state pursued disciplinary charges against her, the public learns that Pinellas' past and current chief judges arranged for her to take a courthouse job to preserve her pension.
True news item: Brandt C. Downey, a Pinellas-Pasco circuit judge, disappears from the bench for two weeks without explanation to the public. Chief Judge David A. Demers says he is "not at liberty" to say why. Reports suggest allegations of sexual harassment and computer pornography. Downey returns to the bench, also without explanation.
True news item: In an unusual midyear shakeup, Chief Judge Demers reassigns six Pinellas-Pasco judges - including Downey - without explanation. Courthouse spokesman Ron Stuart declines to say whether the moves are related to Downey.
Judge Demers' statement: "Occasionally, we make changes in assignments in the middle of the calendar year, and this is one of those occasions."
FUTURE HEADLINES FROM PASCO-PINELLAS COURTS
August 2005: Large black helicopters land atop Pinellas courthouse, emitting several dozen federal agents with assault rifles. Chief Judge Demers issues a statement: "From time to time, federal agents raid the courthouse, and this is one of those occasions." November 2005: Lawyers and defendants arriving at the courthouse discover it is locked, with a handwritten sign on the door saying, "Back in 15 minutes." Chief Judge Demers declines to comment. Court spokesman Stuart says there is "nothing here worth talking about."
March 2006: Large alien spacecraft lands at courthouse and kidnaps several judges. Chief Judge Demers issues statement: "From time to time alien spacecraft arrive at the courthouse, and this is one of those occasions."
July 2006: Courthouse closed again. Eerie screams and creaking noises coming from within. Strange glow from building at night. Courthouse spokesman Stuart says "nothing unusual" occurring.
August 2006: All Pinellas-Pasco judges hold court wearing red rubber noses. Chief Judge Demers calls it "an internal matter." Courthouse spokesman Stuart says "the policy will have to speak for itself."
September 2006: New rule states that all trial verdicts will be kept secret from now on, with jury foremen allowed to tell defendants only, "That's for us to know, and you to find out." Chief Judge Demers declines comment.
October 2006: Entire courthouse covered with large circus tent. Chief Judge Demers calls the reason "a private matter that I cannot discuss."
January 2007: Courthouse documents reveal the purchase of 10,243 banana cream pies. Courthouse spokesman Stuart declines comment, calling it "a matter of security."
March 2007: New rule: All jurors must be left-handed. Asked for an explanation, Chief Judge Demers demurs.
June 2007: Large pile of tax dollars placed in courthouse lobby, set on fire. Chief Judge Demers declines comment except to say, "From time to time, large amounts of taxpayers dollars are placed in a large pile and set on fire, and this is one of those occasions."
August 2007: Entire Pinellas courthouse complex disappears, leaving gaping hole in the ground. Chief Judge Demers says he "can't talk about it."
June 2005-August 2007, inclusive: Nearly 1 million Pinellas taxpayers and 18 million Florida taxpayers underwrite court system, their lives governed by judges, their divorces settled, their crimes judged, their disputes weighed, the course of their lives determined by secretive, none-of-your-business courthouse, while everybody feels smug and superior to the more "corrupt" courthouse over in Tampa.
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/853610931.html?MAC=bc322e45d7ea0b3504eb241193b0d7e7&did=853610931&FMT=FT&FMTS=FT&date=Jun+14%2C+2005&author=HOWARD+TROXLER&printformat=&desc=Disorder+in+court%3F+Demers+demurs