Ala. judge cleared of sex abuse in inmate paddling

Assoc. Press ^ | 10/26/2009 | PHILLIP RAWLS

[Responsibility2nd]

MOBILE, Ala. — A former Alabama judge was cleared Monday of charges accusing him of paddling and sexually abusing male inmates.

Former Mobile County Circuit Judge Herman Thomas was found not guilty on seven counts after more than a week of testimony. A judge threw out the remaining 14 charges.

Defense attorneys had painted the 48-year-old as a prominent civic leader who became a victim of felons lying about him to manipulate the court system.

Prosecutors said Thomas brought 11 young male inmates to a private courthouse office and severely paddled their bare bottoms for sexual gratification. Some of the inmates testified they had sexual contact with the judge.

The jury of seven women and five men listened to seven days of testimony before beginning deliberations late Thursday afternoon over charges of sex abuse, second-degree assault, sodomy and attempted sodomy.

Prosecutor Nicki Patterson portrayed Thomas as a "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" figure who carefully crafted an image as a mentor to troubled youth, while secretly paddling and sexually abusing young inmates for pleasure.

"We see a double life — a hidden life," she said.

Defense attorney Robert "Cowboy Bob" Clark described Thomas as the victim of lying felons who were unhappy with the punishments he gave them.

"He ain't no pervert," Clark told the jury in closing arguments.

[Responsibility2nd]

"He ain't no pervert"

[Responsibility2nd]

http://news.google.com/news?q=Judge%20Herman%20Thomas&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=in&start=0

I can’t believe prosecutors were willing to take the word of all those inmates.

I read other reports that said these charges were racially motivated.

I’m not sure. But I do think wearing red bow ties does not help your situation.

[ConservativeDude]

What party is this guy?

I’m thinking probably a Democrat....

[HiTech RedNeck]

Forensics simply not there for the alleged sodomy? Or lukewarm prosecution that did not bother with forensics?

Mr. Thomas had better, for his own protection, keep videotape of all goings on in that office in the future. He could still be sued in civil court and lose, as the standard of proof is lower. It does not sound wise to be alone with uncouth characters, even if the bailiff is right outside the door.

[a fool in paradise]

Prosecutors said Thomas brought 11 young male inmates to a private courthouse office and severely paddled their bare bottoms for sexual gratification.

Judicial activism in the application of justice.

Is there a Naughty Judges Ping list?

[a fool in paradise]

I’m not sure. But I do think wearing red bow ties does not help your situation.

[BamaDi]

I live here in Mobile and let me tell you there was no doubt to most of us that he was guilty as hell.....but this is Mobile’s version of OJ - the mostly black jury was NOT and I repeat NOT going to find this pervert guilty....I’m not surprised he’s walking.....how sad!

[Dayman]

This sounds like one of those federal “pound me in the a**” prisons.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Mr. Thomas had better, for his own protection, keep videotape of all goings on in that office in the future.

Since Thomas is now a "former judge" it's unlikely he'll return to chambers.

[libertyhoundusnr]

The good news is Obama wants him to be the new “Butt Czar”! Any bets he will be invited to the Whitehouse before any of us?