MEDIA 8/23
DAILY BUSINESS REVIEW:
Profile of Retiring 4th DCA Judge Bobby Gunther (longtime Broward Circuit and County Judge):
http://www.dailybusinessreview.com/news.html?news_id=44617
"Palm Beach Gardens appellate attorney Margorie Graham said she plans to apply for Gunther’s seat. Broward Circuit Judge Dorian Damoorgian is rumored to be interested but he could not be reached for comment."
SENTINEL:
Schlesinger Fee Follow-up:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flb3bdigest08233nbaug23,0,2020355.story
BCJ Goes High Tech:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flbvideovisitsnbaug23,0,950268.story
Profile of Retiring 4th DCA Judge Bobby Gunther (longtime Broward Circuit and County Judge):
http://www.dailybusinessreview.com/news.html?news_id=44617
"Palm Beach Gardens appellate attorney Margorie Graham said she plans to apply for Gunther’s seat. Broward Circuit Judge Dorian Damoorgian is rumored to be interested but he could not be reached for comment."
SENTINEL:
Schlesinger Fee Follow-up:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flb3bdigest08233nbaug23,0,2020355.story
BCJ Goes High Tech:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flbvideovisitsnbaug23,0,950268.story
I overheard some private attorneys talking in the library about the possibility of asking BSO and the library about setting up a confidential inmate video link for interviews(like in the PDs Office).
If you think this is a good idea, contact the law library to let them know that this is a service you would be interested in. In light of today's newspaper articles and the fact there is already a line to the PDs Office, maybe this is be something that can be accomplished.
a glimpse at how Bill gets his information...he lurks around the courthouse "overhearing" the conversations of others. guess this goes along with his blackberry idea of recorind and taking pictures of people in the courtrooms. looks like bill is the new big brother....
Heaven knows a moral Big Brother is what is needed in Broward until some degree of sanity returns to our judiciary! I'm not worried about how the information is obtained as long as it's legal, just that the information is disseminated to illuminate the daily goings on of the courthouse. Keep up the good work, Bill! I enjoy reading your posts. Incidently, I thought the Blackberrys were a good idea.
heard that Jay Hurley is putting his name in for judge. watch out!
Broward man on probation for fatal car crash gets 37 years in prison
Still heartbroken
Debra Torres, whose daughter was killed in a 1999 car-racing crash, wipes tears from her eyes at a court hearing for Glenn Blackedge. Blackledge, 29, was originally sentenced to probation after he killed four young people in the crash in Hollywood. He was sentenced Thursday to 37 years in prison for violating his probation by drinking. (Sun-Sentinel/Lou Toman / August 24, 2007)
By Tonya Alanez | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
August 24, 2007
When Glenn Blackledge violated his probation on Super Bowl Sunday, he ran out of second chances.
Police found him slumped over the wheel of his still-running truck in a Coral Springs parking lot, reeking of alcohol.
Blackledge, 29, wasn't supposed to be drinking, according to a plea deal struck after he killed four young people in a 1999 street-racing crash. With the victims families' assent, Blackledge got the deal in 2004: He pleaded guilty to four counts of vehicular homicide in exchange for a year in jail, a year of house arrest and 13 years of probation.
On Thursday Broward Circuit Judge Ilona Holmes sentenced him to 37 years in prison.
Blackledge told the judge he was haunted by images of the accident and drank to escape. He said he realizes he needs treatment to combat his alcoholism.
Holmes said she was not impressed.
"Mr. Blackledge, I have to look at your past to see if you're amenable to treatment," she said. "And I don't see it."
David Scozzafava, 20; Jose Nunez, 18; and Nilsa Rodriguez, 18, died at the scene in Hollywood of the Aug. 7, 1999 crash. Richard Ragusa Jr., 20, died six days later.
At Thursday's hearing, Blackledge's father, Gary, attested to his son's "tender heart" and desire for treatment.
He said his son was feeling "isolated" on the night of the Super Bowl, having been socially shunned for violating church rules. Gary Blackledge, a Jehovah's Witness, said his son had not exercised "proper conduct with a person of the opposite sex before marriage."
Glenn Blackledge told the judge he had "bottled up" his feelings.
"I pray and hope you can extend your mercy and your help to me," he said. He apologized to his family and the victims' families, saying he did not "intend to reopen old wounds."
But he did. Debra Torres, clutching a picture of her daughter, Nilsa Rodriguez, looked directly at Blackledge and told him that although he had ruined her life, she could not cast blame upon him.
"You need to get help," she said. "Alcohol is going to lead you into deeper and deeper and deeper trouble."
Blackledge's face reddened and tears fell. He nodded almost imperceptibly.
When Torres left the witness stand, she extended her hand to Blackledge. He reached out and shook it.
Richard Ragusa's family said Blackledge needed to be punished.
"I'm angry," said Gina Hudson, Ragusa's sister. "He was basically given an awesome chance to start over and
oh, so that explains why J. Hurley was so vehemently against JAAB and its powerful blog! J. wanted to be made into a judge! He hoped he could hop on the old Ross/Spechler train and get a magistrate position, etc. Ha, Ha!
Hey Governor - don't be fooled! Hurley is one of those liberal Democrat types! Sure, he might have registered as a Republican - but that is just to get a judgeship.
And besides, he is a defense atty. - we all know that Broward is for prosecution-oriented judges. And, despite what he may say to others who hold the key to his judgeship, he lied when he said he gets off on people being punished (the current bellwether for anyone seeking apptmt. to a Broward judgeship).
for anyone who has seen Damoorgian wrestle with legal issues when he was on the criminal bench, and when one reads some the reversals that came about during that stint, it is unclear why anyone would think that is a good spot for him? Having the legal acumen for the job, not just a great personality and being well-dressed, is waht makes a 4th DCA APPELLATE Judge (that was capitalized for a reason - Dorian should never be an appellate judge!). Besides, he's too State-oriented to be a fair judge in criminal matters.
I don't know where some of you get your information, but Jay is a loyal Republican who has worked for years to better his Party. Some of the comments on this blog are an absolute joke. And, Judge Damoorgian would be a great Judge at any level. If you had trouble with him when he was on the criminal bench, it was most likely because you were unprepared.
I agree. I always wondered about the stories about Damoorgians supposed big money background. If he's so smart and connected why is he wasting away in some state court Broward position in the 1st place? After reading the above post, it all makes sense now.
Damoorgian is in laws with Mike Maroone he is big money.
Hurley is a hard core Republican, previous head of the Young Republicans and frat brother of Charlie.
where's bill scherer when you need him?
as to the story paposted at 255 it is awful that this person had his probation revoked. he has an illness he should be in first step sober house not jail. this poor guy is a victim of our vicious broward county system. being on probation is just a set up for him to fail. he said he was sorry and an addict he should be free
Hard to feel sorry for this guy, but 37 years?? Wouldn't twenty make the point?
never heard of guidelines dummy?
ever hear of reinstate and modify probation.
"who has worked for years"
are we talking about the same jay hurley???
oh, so that explains why hurley is going around telling EVERYONE that he will be Broward's next judge.
anyone ever hear how Jay called the Secret Service with claims a fellow lawyer threatened Bush and that person had to go through an investigation and press scrutiny
Jay hasn't said anything about being a Judge. He's not even applying. Try to get your facts straight. And yes, he has worked for years to better his Party; for almost thirty years to be more specific.
You got the wrong guy AGAIN. It was a Judge that did that. Guess who?
ask attorney randy fleisher if jay didn't call the secret service on him twice alleging threats to bush
thats true, first time was after the Young Republican vs Young Democrat debate in 1992 where Randy and Jay debated. The second time was in 2000 when Jay ran for Judge and Fleisher as Youg Dem's President booted Jay from their installation lunch.
you have it all wrong
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people, and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)
Who?
Jay Hurley next judge? Yeah, right. We're going to have some new judges, but Hurley ain't one of them.
He should not be free. My brother was one of the four teens killed by this man. He has had plenty of help available to him over the past eight years and did not take it. He should and is finally be punished. Think about your family being destroyed by his bad habit!!!!
He should not be free. My brother was one of the four teens killed by this man. He has had plenty of help available to him over the past eight years and did not take it. He should and is finally be punished. Think about your family being destroyed by his bad habit!!!!
JAY HURLEY? NEVER HAPPEN. HE'S BEEN WHISPERING IN EVERYBODY'S EAR FOR YEARS AND NOBODY LISTENS. HE'LL REMAIN THE JUDGES' ERRAND BOY FOR LIFE. TALK ABOUT A LIFE SENTENCE!
What might make a better judge on the 4th DCA is committing fraud upon the court like Ana Gardiner in Broward and being protected by the 4th DCA judges who spport her violating the law and the rules and invite her up to be a guest judge as a reward. This is how she was treated by Shahood when she refused to do her lawful duty and the mandamus to force her was before Shahood. Was she sleeping her way to the 4th--or at least trying with a willing Shahood?