Judge censured for mocking victim
By MARK JOHNSON
The Associated Press
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A municipal judge has accepted censure as punishment for mocking an assault victim by comparing him to a lying character on "Saturday Night Live."
The state Commission on Judicial Conduct said Monday that Syracuse City Court Judge Karen Uplinger "demeaned and mocked" assault victim Anthony Nushwat in October 2004.
"Humor has its place, sometimes even in court. But it isn't funny for a judge to mock or belittle an assault victim who is making a statement to the court," said commission administrator Robert Tembeckjian. "A judge is obliged to be patient, dignified and courteous at all times while acting in an official capacity."
The commission said the judge compared Nushwat to Pathological Liars Anonymous member Tommy Flanagan, an SNL character created by Jon Lovitz whose tag line after telling obvious lies was: "Yeah, that's the ticket!"
"I think if you listen to Jon Lovitz, you might get an impression of how I felt when I was listening to this testimony," Uplinger said in court, according to the commission.
As Nushwat was reading a statement during a sentencing hearing, Uplinger told defendant Artis Bey: "You don't have to listen to this if you don't want to." [...]
Anyway, seems kinda weak to me--if the Commission really wanted to see demeaning and mockery, they ought to watch a few episodes of Judge Judy.
Posted by Terry Oglesby at April 4, 2006 01:42 PMHow much do they pay those clowns to be berated by that obnoxious twit (Judge Judy) or is it just the 15 minutes?
Posted by: Larry Anderson at April 4, 2006 02:08 PMWatch it, mister!! I have the hots for her.
As for the guests, I think they like the attention and fame an appearance brings to them, almost as much as when they see one of their bad checks pinned onto the wall at the Chinese restaurant.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at April 4, 2006 02:12 PMLarry
I get the feeling that the Judge Judy people are those who aren’t compelling enough for a full segment on Springer.
Remember that no one ever said “media whores” had to be big time or even good at being one.
You say "media whore" like it's a bad thing...
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at April 4, 2006 08:04 PM