[Theodore R.]

I had forgotten that Baird is "off" this case. It seems that he is trying to hold on to it because the most important thing to Baird is JUDICIAL POWER. He is power-mad as are thousands of American judges.

[JOHN W K]

I don't thing Baird is off the case!

[Theodore R.]

The only thing that might restrain the corrupt FL judiciary is the FEAR that the legislature and the governor might move against the judicial branch and strip it of much of its power and prestige. It is POWER and PRESTIGE that such "judges" covet. Such rascals want the "last word" on everything, for they consider themselves infallible.

[Future Useless Eater]

>>I had forgotten that Baird is "off" this case.

It's not uncommon for judges to be re-assigned in the middle of cases, and I think NOW is the perfect breakpoint where this case HAS to be TRANSFERRED to Judge Nelly N. Khouzam.
Judge Baird is no longer in this court, or jurisdiction, or even in the same building!

Judge Baird rushed to sloppily close this case, knowing that Christmas break would be his last days in Civil court.

Here are some pertinent snapshots from that thread in January (Judge Baird is OFF case)) where we discussed that she was reassigned to take over Judge Baird's duties effective Jan 1, 2004...

cpforlife reported that:

We have just confirmed that ALL of Judge Baird's cases, INCLUDING the suit by Michael Schiavo v Gov Bush related to the Terri's Law, challenging its constitutionality, HAVE been transferred to Judge Nelly Khouzam. This information came directly from Judge Khouzam's assistant. Judge Khouzam is known to be a "by the book" tough, but fair judge.

Floriduh Voter reported that:

JUDGE KHOUZAM HAS MOVED TO JUDGE BAIRD'S OFFICE This can be confirmed by calling Judge Khouzam's old number at 727-464-6425 which now answers as Judge Baird's number. The recording also states that Judge Khouzam may be reached at 727-464-3232 Judge Baird's old number!

Judge Baird HAS been moved from the Circuit Civil Division to the Criminal Division on 49th Street. It is Chief Circuit Court Judge Demers that makes the court appointments for the judges, we are told.

Judge Nelly N. Khouzam has taken over Judge Douglas Baird's division and his cases in the 6th Circuit Civil.

(msmagoo) post 29 reported a conflict...

This a.m. after being specifically asked if Judge Khouzam would take over the Terri's Law case of Michael Schiavo v Gov Bush, Judge Khouzam's assistant said, EXACTLY: "yes, Judge Khouzam is taking over all the cases Judge Baird had including the Terri's Law case."
...
[at 2pm the same day] Judge Baird's office specifically stated EXACTLY that: "if Judge Khouzam's office told you that she [Khouzam] would be taking over the case, they were confused." "Judge Baird is keeping that case!"

Michael Schiavo's main mouthpiece at that time(daylate) argued that Judge Nelly would NEVER GET A CHANCE to hear this case:

Once Baird hands down his order, Judge Khouzam would be left without the ability to re-hear the case.

(FV again)at post 48:

Jeb's counsel can do Motions that a new Judge could entertain. It's a whole new ballgame if Nelly K. takes over.

(LBR) in post 66 and 70:

I read the background articles on Judge Khouzam, and I have a gut reaction that she's the judge we've been waiting for.
...
What Baird doesn't get is that, ultimately, it really isn't his case to hold onto. I take great hope from the perfect timing of these events.

(msmagoo) post 75:

Yes, I think she is the answer to our prayers. Judge Khouzam presided over a case involving animal cruelty. She rejected a plea deal for 5 years in prison followed by 5 yrs. probation as "too lenient."

Ultimately she was removed from the case by the appeals court, where the case was reassigned to Judge Mark Shames. The perp in that case, Robert B. Pettyjohn, admitted to severely beating and sexually abusing his neighbor's two pet llamas, ended up getting 3 years in prison. It was a hideous crime, and I suspect Judge Khouzam was removed only because some killers get lighter sentences than the one she rejected.

---

The concensus of that thread in January, was that if the 2nd DCA bounced ANYTHING back to the 6th Circuit, that it would have to be handled by the new judge now assigned to that court: Judge Nelly N. Khouzam.

Another very GOOD thing about Friday's 2nd DCA ruling was that I didn't recognize ANY of those names as the judges who ruled against Terri in the past!

there was also this from November:
GOVERNOR ASKS THAT JUDGE IN RIGHT-TO-DIE CASE BE DISQUALFIED (Judge Baird)

(The law says any litigant can ask ONE TIME for a new judge in a case, without cause, if there is even a SUSPICION of bias; and the judge has NO CHOICE but to grant this the 1st time. But Baird was so adamant that HE ALONE must decide this case, that he dismissed the Governor's request)

[tutstar]

I think that Sen King is not the only one concerned about his legacy! With Felos squawking about this case he probably has the judges drooling over the publicity they will have as a result of their rulings.