Judge who freed Cuban plane hijacker dies suddenly days after controversial ruling

NYPost ^ | 7/16/26

[CFW]

A Clinton-appointed federal judge in Florida has died just days after he controversially released a Cuban plane hijacker who was awaiting deportation.

Judge John E. Steele, 77, passed away, according to a law clerk for Chief Judge Marcia Morales Howard of the Middle District of Florida — where Steele served.

A legal source in Miami also confirmed Steele’s sudden death. The circumstances of his passing were not immediately clear.

Steele came under criticism for his July 8 ruling to release Cuban plane hijacker Maikel Guerra Morales from ICE custody.

[CFW]

Karma come a knockin'

[Billthedrill]

The circumstances of his passing were not immediately clear.

Pity it wasn't in a hijacking.

[Gunslingr3]

“Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?”

[Responsibility2nd]

Whatever.

I’m waiting on the day when some judge releases a criminal only to have said criminal come back and kill the judge.

Now THAT would be karma.

[grobdriver]

A Clinton-appointed federal judge in Florida has died just days after he controversially released a Cuban plane hijacker who was awaiting deportation

We need more of that kind of justice.

[xp38]

Who picks the replacement?

[lowbridge]

I wonder what he had on Hillary.

[ConjunctionJunction]

It’s a federal judge, so the President nominates the replacement.

[bigbob]

Instant karma gonna getcha

[shelterguy]

“””Who picks the replacement?”””

Sounds like President Trump can fill a job opening here.

[Libloather]

Blow dart. Check for a mark on the neck.

[mass55th]

Gosh, what a shame.

[Vigilanteman]

How did that work out for King Henry II?

[SuperLuminal]

Seems that we have begun, appropriately, using the Russian technique for rewarding failure...

Umbrella... High-rise building... Heart attack...
It’s all effective...

[Skwor]

He was told how to rule, he ruled per his puppet masters direction, then he was silenced to prevent any possibility of why he ruled the way he did leaking out.

[falcon99]

One less corrupt, woke political judge to contend with.

[Howie66]

Huh. What’s the latest on Mitch McConnell? Is he still sucking air or has he retired from that as well?

[CFW]

“Huh. What’s the latest on Mitch McConnell? Is he still sucking air or has he retired from that as well?”

---

Only his hairdresser knows for sure.

[Dacula]

I heard that he was on the phone with the judges for 20 minutes less than an hour before he died.

---

Huh. What’s the latest on Mitch McConnell? Is he still sucking air or has he retired from that as well?

[bray]

The Trump curse.