‘What did you hit this time?’
Repeat reckless driver in Fred Thorne’s courtroom
news@theeveningtimes.com
Two men and a woman were called up in jail with felony charges of possession of firearm by certain persons, possession of schedule one or two drugs and more charges in West Memphis District Court.
To the man, Judge Fred Thorne said, “You are completely out of control. Talk to the public defender.”
To the woman, “Do you have the means to hire an attorney?”
“No, sir.”
“Were you arrested together?”
“Yes.”
“How did you two get together.”
“She was giving me a ride,” said the man.
“Both of you go talk to the public defender.”
A woman with felony possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of schedule one or two drugs was asked where she lived.
“West Memphis.”
“Are you employed?”
“No.”
“How do you make a living?”
“I just got out of jail in Memphis.”
“Jail is your life. It doesn’t bother you to be in jail?”
“No, sir.”
A man in jail had felony domestic battery charges.
“Where do you live?”
“West Memphis.”
“Are you employed?”
“No, sir. I work with a man in Edmondson. He does yard work and roofing.”
“How much do you make a week?”
“About $250.”
“Talk to the public defender.”
A man charged with felony tampering with physical evidence and possession of drug paraphernalia was asked, “How long has it been since I’ve seen you?”
“A while.”
“How long?”
“Over a month.”
“Can you hire an attorney?”
“No, sir. I don’t have any money.”
“Talk to the public defender.”
A woman with felony possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor charges was also asked where she lived.
“Memphis.”
“Why where you in Crittenden County?”
“We were at the casino.”
“Were you arrested with someone?”
“My boyfriend.”
“Have you been in trouble before?”
“No, sir.”
“Do you work?”
“Yes, I missed work today.”
“Where do you work?”
“I am a manger at Sonic.”
“You have people under you and now you are arrested with drug charges? How much do you make a week?” “$400.”
“Talk to the public defender.”
A woman and a man were called up together. They had felony charges of theft by receiving and misdemeanors.
“Where do you live?”
“Memphis,” said both of them.
“What do you do for work?”
“I clean houses,” said the woman.
“I rehab houses,” said the man.
“How much did you file on your income taxes for 2018?” the judge asked the man.
“I didn’t file taxes. I was in jail.”
“How much did you file?” he asked the woman.
“About $26,000. I worked last year at a job.”
“Both of you see the public defender.”
The next couple called forward were charged with felony theft by receiving and possession of cocaine.
“What is your relationship?”
“Friends.”
“How long?”
“Not that long.”
“Where do you live?”
“Memphis,” answered both the man and the woman.
“Do you have a job,” he asked the woman “Yes, I work at Walgreens.”
“How long?”
“Three years.”
“How much do you make?”
“$700 a week. I’m a pharmacy tech.” “What do you do,” he asked the man.
“I’ve been in prison.”
“You are a pharmacy tech and you ended up with a man who has been in prison? Sir, you can talk to the public defender. Ma’am I’m not appointing the public defender for you.”
A man in jail was charged with not paying his fine.
He pled guilty.
“What do you want to tell me?”
“I didn’t have a job.”
“Come up with $250 today and you can get out of jail and back on the payment plan.”
A woman charged with possession of a controlled substance pled no contest.
To her charge of failing to dim her lights she pled no contest.
“Why was all the ammo in the car?”
“I didn’t know it was in there. I had let someone drive my car.”
“The pills were in your purse.”
“I didn’t realize they were there.”
“$350 plus court costs on the controlled substance.
Pay court costs on the headlights.”
A man in jail was charged with disorderly conduct and public intoxication. He pled guilty to both charges. “But I have a job!”
“What were you drinking?”
“I had a can that wasn’t open.”
“You admitted to drinking four beers.”
“That was before the stop. I was at my aunties’ house.”
“$250 plus court costs on the public intoxication. I’ll dismiss the disorderly.”
“Can I make a phone call?”
“Yes,” said the jail clerk.
“Can I make a phone call?”
“If you don’t stop interrupting days in jail.”
A man with a careless driving charge pled guilty.
His mother was with him in the courtroom.
“You hit a pole last time.
What did you hit this time?”
“A car.”
“Are you working?”
“I go to ASU Mid-South.” “You had insurance?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I kept it off your record last time. $195 plus court costs and driver’s school or 12 hours community service and driver’s school. What do you want him to do mother?”
“I want community service, driver’s school and a fine.”
“So you are doing community service?” “Yes.”
“This is the last time I’m keeping it off your record!”
