"Two hours of inexplicable madness"
fundamental rights of 46 people had been deliberately and methodically violated.
A US court judge, Niagara Falls City Court Judge Robert Restaino "snapped" and "engaged in what can only be described as two hours of inexplicable madness" during a hearing on 11 March 2005, according to a decision of the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
A mobile phone rang during the hearing of cases of domestic violence offenders updates and the judge demanded to be told who owned it. A security officer was posted at the door while others tried to find the phone but failed.
The judge was reported saying "every single person is going to jail in this courtroom unless I get that instrument now" and "if anyone believes I'm kidding, ask some of the folks that have been here for a while. You are all going"!
When no one came forward, the judge ordered that the entire courtroom audience of 46 people be taken into custody and set bail at USD1,500.
According to the report, the judge also replied "I know it isn't" when one of the arrested audience complained that "This is not fair to the rest of us"!
The Commissionfs administrator, Robert Tembekjian, was reported saying the "fundamental rights of 46 people had been deliberately and methodically violated".
On the other hand, one comment seen on the internet has this to say:
"I support harsh retribution against those who abuse cellular communication. Personally, I'm in favour of locking up people who talk on mobile phones for longer than 120 seconds while using public transport. Also, people who talk on the phone while buying things at retail outlets. And the death penalty should be introduced for people who select their ringtones in public. Also car drivers who talk on cell phones with one hand on the wheel.@Lock 'em up and throw away the sim card I say, it's the only language they understand (although in fact the only language they understand is: "HELLO ... CAN YOU HEAR ME? I"M ON THE TRAIN... WHAT?... HELLO...")"
You be the judge!
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