Southern Judge Disbarred For Paddling Inmates
Seems the stereotypes in the movie Cousin Vinny weren’t too far off. An Alabama judge was disbarred today for paddling inmates and talking to inmates without their lawyers present. While I understand why the judge wouldn’t want an audience for his S&M sessions, he really should have known not to talk to the inmates without their attorneys present.
Jurors acquitted Thomas last October on some charges related to the spankings, and a judge threw out other charges after the jury could not reach a consensus. The charges included sodomy, sex abuse and assault. Prosecutors had claimed Thomas paddled defendants in exchange for leniency. Thomas’ attorney had argued he shouldn’t be convicted on the word of 11 convicted felons