‘ I see you more than I see my children’

‘ I see you more than I see my children’

Defendants get their day in court with their old pal, Judge Thorne

news@theeveningtimes.com

Tuesday was a day for trials in West Memphis District Court. “When I call your name you will stand up, and your attorney stand up also if you have one, and tell me if you want to change your plea or still stand for trial,” said Judge Fred Thorne.

“Half of you will get it wrong.”

Judge Thorne called a defendant’s name. “This first name has 28 letters in it.”

The person was not there.

“Warrant, double the bond.

We should slap his momma for giving him a name like that.”

Another name was called.

“Stand for trial.”

“Okay, sit down, I’ll get to you.”

The next name was called and hadn’t shown up.

“Issue warrant.”

The next name called was present. He was a prisoner sitting on the front row.

“Lawyer, have you negotiated this?”

“Yes.” After discussions, Judge Thorne said, “DWI, $1,000 down to $250 plus court costs. One year down to one day. Your license is suspended, go to level 1 driving school, MADD and Interlock system. $250 plus court costs for resisting arrest. $100 plus court costs for careless driving. Merge the fleeing. How old are you?”

“54.”

“Isn’t about time you got your life together? How well can a 54-year-old man run from the police?”

A man in the courtroom was called up.

“Do you want to change your plea?”

“Yes.”

“Did you have insurance then?”

“Yes.”

“Show your insurance to the bailiff.”

“He has a one year policy.”

“Call the insurance company. We have to call the insurance company on this. People tend to get insurance just to get the license for their car then drop the policy.”

Another person was called

Judge Fred Thorne and had paid their fines.

“Nolle-prosequi, you may go,” said Judge Thorne.

This term is Latin and means ‘we shall no longer prosecute’ or dismissed.

“Get off that phone or you are going to jail!”

“I was just looking for my insurance card.”

“You have had 30 days to come up with your insurance. You should have gone by the insurance company and gotten a print out from them.”

A woman in the court room changed her plea on her theft charge to no contest.

A witness also stood up.

“How much did she take?” asked Judge Thorne.

“$15 that we are sure of.”

“Have you reviewed the video?”

“Yes.”

“What do you have to say?” asked Judge Thorne of the defendant.

“I had $12 laying on the register and I had a $10 tip that I put in my pocket.”

“$250 plus court costs and one year suspended to six months probation through the Justice Network. Pay $15 restitution. You are to have no contact with Petro.

Complete the program and I’ll keep it off your record.

Be back here Nov. 14th for a review.”

A woman changed her plea to no contest on her suspended license.

“How long has your license been suspended?”

“One year.”

“No. It has been two years.”

“I have done all it requires to get my license back.”

“$350 plus court costs and two days house arrest or two days jail?”

“House arrest.”

A man charged with disorderly conduct changed his plea to no contest.

“He locked himself in the bathroom with his girlfriend,” said the court attorney.

“We will get to you later,” said Judge Thorne.

A prisoner changed his theft plea to no contest.

“He stole TV’s, purses and jewelry,” said a witness.

“He also has a felony charge,” said the court attorney.

“If they prove you stole those TV’s you will probably be watching the one at the jail,” said Judge Thorne.

Another name was called. “Your honor, one witness just got her subpoena yesterday

and she does want to

be here.”

“Set a new trial date for Oct. 3rd at 1:30 p.m.”

A man in jail was charged with public intoxication.

“If you come back in here begging for money again I will put you in jail and give you the maximum I can! I see you more than I see my children.”

A woman in custody changed her plea to no contest.

“$75 plus court costs on the parking in a handicapped spot and $350 plus court costs on the no proof of insurance.”

“Will you deduct the time I spent in jail?”

“Yes they will. You can talk to the jailer about that.”

A man in jail who had his license suspended also changed his plea.

“My license was suspended because of a hot check. That happened because I didn’t get paid one week and a check hit my bank. I have paid that off.”

“Time served. You will have to pay a reinstatement fee to get your license back.

A man came forward for a trial. A lady was a witness.

“Did you drive all the way here for this trial from Tennessee?”

“Yes, it was a four hour drive.”

“Thank you so much.

Most people won’t come when they live here in town.”

“What did you see?” asked the attorney.

“A car was in the parking lot of the motel. It was smoking and the hood was up. The person driving the car kept hitting the curb and backing up and hitting the curb again. It was like he was trying to jump the curb. My husband went down and asked him if he was okay and he never responded and I called the police from my room.”

“Were you at the track?”

“No, we were at the sprint car races. Our car was parked next to him and we were afraid he was going to hit it.”

A policeman was called to the stand.

“Tell the judge what you saw.”

“I saw a vehicle with heavy damage. The hood was up and the engine was smoking. I found the defendant in the vehicle and he was asleep. He pled guilty to DWI. I asked for proof of insurance and he failed to produce insurance information.”

The defendant was then called to the stand.

“The report says your alcohol reading was .28.”

“I thought I was in good company. A friend went with me and I gave him my keys so I wouldn’t drive.

Then he gave them back to me. I don’t know what happened.”

“I guess you don’t since you were way over the alcohol limit. Did you bring proof of insurance with you?”

“No.”

“$75 plus court costs on the careless driving and $295 plus court costs on the insurance. You could have killed someone. I hope you learned something.”

By the Evening Times News Staff