Broward County assistant public defender punished, judge rebuke...

If you can't take a joke, you shouldn't be one.

C'mon! Lighten up!

Due to events beyond my control, my original post entitled "The Levenson And Reidy Exchange" was edited, without my permission or consultation, by the moderators of JAABLOG, and signed as "JAAB" (although it still says "posted by William Gelin at 2:22 p.m."). I have reposted it here under my name, in its entirety. It may not be that different in content from the edited version below, but it's important to me that my work not be misrepresented - Bill Gelin.

THE LEVENSON AND REIDY EXCHANGE

As many of you know, there has been a lot of talk around the Courthouse, and in the comments section of this blog, regarding an incident in Judge Levenson's courtroom late last week. Some highly inappropriate comments were made regarding the alleged victim of a sex crime, involving the Judge, and Assistant Public Defender Brian Reidy.

JAABLOG has obtained an excerpt of the transcript, available below. To his credit, Judge Levenson apologized immediately and profusely for his comment, unlike other judges, who refuse to take responsibility when they cross the line. In any event, it's my understanding the fallout from this will continue for some time, following so closely on the heels of Mayor Naugle's perceived homophobic crusade, and Chief Judge Victor Tobin's declaration that sensitivity training is not a necessary priority for the Broward Judiciary.

This is a tough one for me personally. Brian Reidy, a lifelong advocate for the accused, is a founding member of JAAB. Similarly, I find Judge Levenson to be a prime example of the newer, younger breed of Broward judge, who are able to distinguish the true criminal from someone who has committed a criminal act, or from someone who is simply a non-violent victim of drug addiction. As Assistant State Attorney Alcalde pointed out, they should have known better.

That's it. I understand the story will hit the papers tomorrow. I'm sure they'll be contacting all the parties to fill in the gaps. Read the story tomorrow and the transcript below, and draw your own conclusions.

Bill Gelin

Who's Bill Gelin?

If they make a joke with a gay as the butt of the joke, there is a major event threatening the career of the joke teller. I thought it was kind of funny, I'm sure a lot of football fans did, gay and straight. This politically correct censoring of people's speech is about control of what people say. These guys did what most guys would do, they made some wise cracks. Lighten up, it was banter and kind of funny. A non issue that doesn't belong in the paper

Did I say butt, did I say crack, in a reply about gays, oh no, it's the PC police at my door wanting an interview.

NOW THATS FUNNY

With all that these people go through in court they need to be able to laugh a bit. Was it insensitive and juvenile? Probably but it certainly wasn't meant to offend. Say I am sorry and event over!

If Alcade is so incensed by the banter, maybe she should examine her own comment about the comments being intended to " poke fun at the victim ". Pot calling the kettle black. HAHAHAHAHA

It is vey comforting to know that we have lawyers like Ms.
Alacalde in our judiciary system to keep unprofessionals like this judge in line.

Ignored in all this is that the jury found the man accused not guilty in 20 minutes. He was no "victim". She conveniently left that out of her article. Let's get our media to focus on the real issues.

do you see blonds freaking over the many jokes they have to deal with everyday, how many other people tahk a joke seriously It's a joke because it's most likely a fabracation of the truth.
The man ( whom should have been found guilty) was offened because it was the embrassing truth now in the public forum. He made it a non-joke
and an ammendent issue because of his need fto fulfill his warped, crusing sexual difience. So laugh it up. If you set yourself up for a joke then, no pun "Take it like a man"!

again people, what if it was the other way around. if it was a 41 year old male and a 16 year old female and these things were said about her being a "wide receiver" what if it was your daughter that the lawyer and judge said that about. the comments were disgusting. this is a boy. shame on all of you that think it is funny.

do you see blonds freaking over the many jokes they have to deal with everyday, how many other people take a joke seriously It's a joke because it's most likely a fabrication of the truth.
The man ( whom should have been found guilty) was offended because it was the embarrassing truth now in the public forum. He made it a non-joke
and an amendment issue because of his need to fulfill his warped, cruising sexual defiance. So laugh it up. If you set yourself up for a joke then, no pun "Take it like a man"!

Who indeed.

Lighten up, who was actually offended by this exchange? If the "Boys" are old enought to be having consentual sex and have it brought to the light of day by the courts the humor just breaks the tension.

This is far worse then anything Ross, Feiner or Greene said. Howard you called for their jobs and your guy gets nothing, what gives?

Debbie wrote:

Ignored in all this is that the jury found the man accused not guilty in 20 minutes. He was no "victim". She conveniently left that out of her article. Let's get our media to focus on the real issues.

not guilty on a case where a underaged boy hooks up with a middle aged mad, thats makes this story much more comforting

Levenson is a great judge. Fair and hard working. Run's an organized docket. Show's sympathy when necessary, and toughness when warranted. He immediately apologized for a comment when his mouth was working faster than his brain. We've all been there. He did exactly what he needed to do, apologize, and now let's get on with it.

ALcalde is a frigid b.tch

But just because his mouth worked faster than his brains,does not erase the fact how he felt about the victim,and in my opinion it sounds very biased.