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Judge Recognizes Homeless Defendant as Harvard Law Classmate
It's such a thin line.
Hat tip, DCist: Go Home Already: Nice Eyes
Judge Recognizes Homeless Defendant as Harvard Law Classmate
Posted by Aaron Wiener on Apr. 24, 2015 at 9:00 am
@aaronwiener
It started like so many cases that come through the D.C. Superior Court. On a Saturday morning earlier this month, a homeless man appeared before a judge for an arraignment on charges of unlawful entry, bail violation, and failure to appear for a status hearing.
The defendant, Alfred Postell, appeared confused. When the court clerk informed him of his right to remain silent, he responded, "I'm a lawyer," according to the court transcript, to which the clerk replied, "Okay."
....
A court employee, who was not authorized to speak on the record and asked to remain anonymous, says in an email that while Postell was clearly not in a perfect mental state, something about him seemed different from other homeless defendants with mental illnesses.... The mystery was soon explained. As the judge, Thomas Motley, weighed whether Postell posed a flight risk and should be held in jail, Postell again cut in, claiming that he used to practice law before the Superior Court. He added that he graduated from Harvard Law School in 1979.
Motley surprised the courtroom with his response. "Mr. Postell, so did I," he said. "I remember you." ... The judge paused, then added, "But I have no choice in the matter." ... The case remains open.
@aaronwiener
It started like so many cases that come through the D.C. Superior Court. On a Saturday morning earlier this month, a homeless man appeared before a judge for an arraignment on charges of unlawful entry, bail violation, and failure to appear for a status hearing.
The defendant, Alfred Postell, appeared confused. When the court clerk informed him of his right to remain silent, he responded, "I'm a lawyer," according to the court transcript, to which the clerk replied, "Okay."
....
A court employee, who was not authorized to speak on the record and asked to remain anonymous, says in an email that while Postell was clearly not in a perfect mental state, something about him seemed different from other homeless defendants with mental illnesses.... The mystery was soon explained. As the judge, Thomas Motley, weighed whether Postell posed a flight risk and should be held in jail, Postell again cut in, claiming that he used to practice law before the Superior Court. He added that he graduated from Harvard Law School in 1979.
Motley surprised the courtroom with his response. "Mr. Postell, so did I," he said. "I remember you." ... The judge paused, then added, "But I have no choice in the matter." ... The case remains open.
There was this comment:
Neil Ruddy • a day ago
Mental Illness Is Real (haiku) "Homeless defendant - and Judge were law school classmates - 'I remember you'"
Mental Illness Is Real (haiku) "Homeless defendant - and Judge were law school classmates - 'I remember you'"
1 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
Last edited Tue Jul 14, 2015, 12:01 PM - Edit history (1)
That's the title of this article in the print edition.
There but for the grace of God, go I.
The homeless man who graduated Harvard Law with John Roberts
Social Issues
Alfred Postell is seen in downtown Washington. He lives on the streets despite graduating from Harvard Law School. (Terrence McCoy/The Washington Post)
By Terrence McCoy July 13 at 8:07 PM
The judge settled his gaze on the homeless man accused of sleeping beside an office building in downtown Washington. ... It was a Saturday afternoon in early April at D.C. Superior Court, and Alfred Postell, a diagnosed schizophrenic, stood before Judge Thomas Motley. ... Postell’s hair was medium length and graying. His belly spilled over his pants. A tangled beard hung from his jowls.
“You have the right to remain silent,” a deputy clerk told Postell, according to a transcript of the arraignment. “Anything you say, other than to your attorney, can be used against you.” ... “I’m a lawyer,” Postell replied.
Motley ignored the seemingly bizarre assertion, mulling over whether Postell, charged with unlawful entry, posed a flight risk. ... “I have to return,” Postell protested, offering a convoluted explanation: “I passed the Bar at Catholic University, was admitted to Constitution Hall. I swore the Oath of Office as an attorney at Constitution Hall in 1979; graduated from Harvard Law School in 1979.”
That got Motley’s attention. He’d also graduated from Harvard Law School in 1979. ... “Mr. Postell, so did I,” Motley said. “I remember you.”
Alfred Postell is seen in downtown Washington. He lives on the streets despite graduating from Harvard Law School. (Terrence McCoy/The Washington Post)
By Terrence McCoy July 13 at 8:07 PM
The judge settled his gaze on the homeless man accused of sleeping beside an office building in downtown Washington. ... It was a Saturday afternoon in early April at D.C. Superior Court, and Alfred Postell, a diagnosed schizophrenic, stood before Judge Thomas Motley. ... Postell’s hair was medium length and graying. His belly spilled over his pants. A tangled beard hung from his jowls.
“You have the right to remain silent,” a deputy clerk told Postell, according to a transcript of the arraignment. “Anything you say, other than to your attorney, can be used against you.” ... “I’m a lawyer,” Postell replied.
Motley ignored the seemingly bizarre assertion, mulling over whether Postell, charged with unlawful entry, posed a flight risk. ... “I have to return,” Postell protested, offering a convoluted explanation: “I passed the Bar at Catholic University, was admitted to Constitution Hall. I swore the Oath of Office as an attorney at Constitution Hall in 1979; graduated from Harvard Law School in 1979.”
That got Motley’s attention. He’d also graduated from Harvard Law School in 1979. ... “Mr. Postell, so did I,” Motley said. “I remember you.”