‘The first day I am back from vacation and I see you…’

‘The first day I am back from vacation and I see you…’

Familiar faces for Judge Thorne in District Court

news@theeveningtimes.com

On a rainy Monday West Memphis District Court was in session with Judge Fred Thorne presiding.

“I only have two felonies,” said the Judge.

The first man, in a wheelchair, with felony charges of fleeing and theft by receiving was asked, “Where do you live?”

“West Memphis.”

“Do you have any income?”

“No, sir.”

“How do you make it with no income?”

“I do odd jobs.”

“How long have you been in that wheelchair?”

“Since Friday.”

“See the public defender.”

The next man with felony charges of criminal trespass was called up by his first name.

“The first day I am back from vacation and I see you. We have known each other for a while. The police report says you went into a vehicle and was trying to steal some items.

Where do you live?”

“13th Street, West Memphis. I stay with my brother.”

“When you aren’t with your brother, where do you live?”

“Lakeshore.”

“Talk to the public defender.”

A man in jail charged with loitering was immediately recognized by the judge.

“How do you plead to loitering?”

“Guilty.”

“$350 plus court costs.

Have a seat.”

A man charged with criminal trespass pled guilty.

“You went to someone’s house and threatened to kill a man?”

“He is my baby momma’s son.”

“How old is he?”

“21.”

“How old are you?”

“24.”

“How old is your baby momma?”

“54.”

“Maybe he didn’t want you messing with his mother. Did he get arrested?”

“No, just me.”

“He said he was going to kill my momma and burn her house down.”

“Your mother or baby momma?”

“My mother.”

“$350 plus court costs and 30 days suspended.”

A man in jail was charged with speeding, no insurance and failure to appear. He pled guilty to all charges.

“Why did you not come to court?”

“That was the time when my momma died.”

“Give me the exact date she died.”

“I can’t remember the exact date.”

“I can remember the exact date my mother died!”

“What funeral home was it?”

“Wolfe Brothers.”

“Call Wolfe Brothers and find out when she died,” the judge told the clerk.

“It was around that time,” said the defendant.

A man in jail charged with possession of marijuana pled guilty.

“Did you finish high school? The police saw you holding a mason jar with marijuana in it.”

“I was on my way home to smoke some before I went to work. It calms me down.”

“Where do you work?”

“The dog track.”

“What do you do at the track?”

“I work in the money room. I put money into the machines.”

“Have you had a possession before?” “Yes, in New York, over a year ago.”

“$500 plus court costs, one year suspended to six months probation. Set up a review date for him.”

A man with a charge of speeding and failure to appear pled guilty. His grandmother was with him.

“Are you working?”

“Yes, at Walmart.”

“Why didn’t your come to court?”

“We both forgot about the court date,” said the grandmother.

“Do you want to do the 30 days for him?”

“No.”

“You are supposed to be the responsible person. $55 plus court costs and driver’s school.” The couple started to leave and the young man was smiling.

“Bring them back in!”

They came back.

“Grandmother I’d like to give him 10 hours community service at the animal shelter. I don’t like the way he acted. You pick 10 hours or $55 plus court costs.”

“Community service,” said the grandmother.

“We’ll have a review date on Oct. 17th. If you haven’t done your community service you will do one day of jail for each hour not done.”

“Do I need to bring his toothbrush?” asked the grandmother.

“Yes,” said Judge Thorne.

Judge Fred Thorne

By the Evening Times News Staff