Posted on 01/19/2018 4:31:55 PM PST by conserv8
A state district judge in Comal County said God told him to intervene in jury deliberations to sway jurors to return a not guilty verdict in the trial of a Buda woman accused of trafficking a teen girl for sex.
Judge Jack Robison apologized to jurors for the interruption, but defended his actions by telling them “when God tells me I gotta do something, I gotta do it,” according to the Herald-Zeitung in New Braunfels.
The jury went against the judge’s wishes, finding Gloria Romero-Perez guilty of continuous trafficking of a person and later sentenced her to 25 years in prison. They found her not guilty of a separate charge of sale or purchase of a child.
Robison, who also presides in Hays and Caldwell counties, did not respond to a message left with his court coordinator, Steve Thomas, who said the case is still pending. Robison is scheduled to return to the bench in Comal County on Jan. 31.
The Herald-Zeitung reported that Robison recused himself before the trial’s sentencing phase and was replaced by Judge Gary Steele. The defendant’s attorney asked for a mistrial, but was denied.
Robison’s actions could trigger an investigation from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which has disciplined Robison in the past.
In 2011, the commission slapped Robison with a private reprimand for improperly jailing a Caldwell County grandfather who had called him a fool for a ruling Robison made in a child custody case involving the man’s granddaughter.
The reprimand, the commission’s harshest form of rebuke, said Robison “exceeded the scope of his authority and failed to comply with the law” by jailing the man for contempt of court without a hearing or advance notice of the charge.
The act of intervening in a jury’s deliberations is not addressed in the state’s list of judicial canons, which serves as an ethical code for judges. However, it states judges shall “comply with the law and should act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.”
Eric Vinson, executive director for the commission, said he would not be able to confirm or deny if a complaint had been filed against Robison.
I want to know what the DA said.
That judge needs to have his head examined.
If grandpa called the Judge a fool to his face it’s direct contempt and no hearing or notice is necessary.
The defendant must be really hot.
Reversible error
CC
I want to know what God REALLY said to him......
Since I'm an admitted sinner, I sure as hell don't want to be tried by a judge who claims to talk with God.............
God does not speak to you. Only Parakletos.
I was thinking it was about time for another story about a looney judge.
If done in the courtroom, during the trial, I would agree. The story does not make this clear. If grandpa made the comment outside of the courthouse, then the judge is overstepping IMHO.
Guess I was wrong, but then I don’t know what the judge’s taste is.
Parakletos
God and Holy Spirit are the same.
“In 2011, the commission slapped Robison with a private reprimand for improperly jailing a Caldwell County grandfather who had called him a fool for a ruling Robison made in a child custody case involving the man’s granddaughter.”
How about prosecuting Judge Robison for deprivation of rights under color of law?
What did she promise the Judge , a lifetime of Free Samples
It was in a public restroom outside the court.
Either we give a Shiite about trafficking of minors or we don’t. And if we don’t, we’ll be no better than the UK.
Thankfully the jury understood this.
“If grandpa called the Judge a fool to his face it’s direct contempt and no hearing or notice is necessary.”
Not according to the 1925 USSC.
I advise you to seek a lawyer before giving legal advice!
Sounds like a pretty persuasive defense witness.(and Even Perry Mason never got the Almighty Lord to testify for his clients —?)
The older a man gets, the hotter the younger women look.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.