Former Judge Matt Destry Was Right: Scumbag Who Got Judge In Trouble Busted Again!
BY BUDDY NEVINS
It appears that former Broward Circuit Judge Matt Destry was right…the first time.
Destry was eviscerated by the media, including Browardbeat.com, for sentencing Herbert L. Smith to 60 years in prison for a probation violation last year. After media criticism and some questionable meetings with members of the black community, Destry reversed himself and suspended the sentence.
Smith has been nailed again, this time in Parkland. He is being held without bond and it appears Smith will be headed to prison for a long time.
Meanwhile Destry was defeated in the August primary, found himself under investigation by the Judicial Qualifications Commission and quit the bench before the end of his term.
Below is Smith’s arrest today followed by Smith’s record seen by Destry when he imposed the original sentence. Also see a link to a story about the original sentencing here.
Destry’s original sentence of 60 years was excessive. He was right to lock Smith up, but not for 60 years.
However, Destry’s dropping the sentence due to some criticism and lobbying by political players in Northeast Broward was equally outrageous.
Destry was right the first time. Smith has had enough chances.
November 14th, 2016 at 3:46 pm
Dealing with Vicente Thrower don’t get ya nothing but a big headache
November 15th, 2016 at 9:32 am
This message is to the Reiter wake up folks… As you can see I publish my real name and I’m not a bitch like you I don’t hide behind false names I don’t try to antagonize people or bully people I am a true community leader…. So if you have something to say about me be a real person and publish your name or call me up and let’s see if you are man enough to talk to me because the last I looked I am 100% African-American or in your case I’m a black man !!! And to buddy I think your blog sometimes print the truth but it’s when you have undercover assholes who won’t put their names behind your comments that make people not like bloggers
November 15th, 2016 at 2:02 pm
No one who has spent any time around criminal justice is surprised. When destry gave him 60 years (which was excessive) it wasn’t just a DWLS. He was found in a car with stolen items and ammo.
November 15th, 2016 at 9:35 pm
Good for you Vicente, Reiter is a jerk and a Charlie Cristina guy
http://www.browardbeat.com/aide-to-republican-running-pro-crist-website/
November 16th, 2016 at 8:24 am
Matt Destry should proceed with actions against all that disparaged his good name, Duffy should receive a bar & JQC complaint as well as Gelin.
RULE 4-8.2 JUDICIAL AND LEGAL OFFICIALS
4 RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
4-8 MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROFESSION
RULE 4-8.2 JUDICIAL AND LEGAL OFFICIALS
(a) Impugning Qualifications and Integrity of Judges or Other Officers. A lawyer shall not make a statement that the lawyer knows to be false or with reckless disregard as to its truth or falsity concerning the qualifications or integrity of a judge, mediator, arbitrator, adjudicatory officer, public legal officer, juror or member of the venire, or candidate for election or appointment to judicial or legal office.
(b) Candidates for Judicial Office; Code of Judicial Conduct Applies. A lawyer who is a candidate for judicial office shall comply with the applicable provisions of Florida’s Code of Judicial Conduct.
Comment
Assessments by lawyers are relied on in evaluating the professional or personal fitness of persons being considered for election or appointment to judicial office and to public legal offices, such as attorney general, prosecuting attorney, and public defender. Expressing honest and candid opinions on such matters contributes to improving the administration of justice. Conversely, false statements by a lawyer can unfairly undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.
False statements or statements made with reckless disregard for truth or falsity concerning potential jurors, jurors serving in pending cases, or jurors who served in concluded cases undermine the impartiality of future jurors who may fear to execute their duty if their decisions are ridiculed. Lawyers may not make false statements or any statement made with the intent to ridicule or harass jurors.
When a lawyer seeks judicial office, the lawyer should be bound by applicable limitations on political activity.
To maintain the fair and independent administration of justice, lawyers are encouraged to continue traditional efforts to defend judges and courts unjustly criticized.
[Revised: 01/01/1993]
FROM BUDDY:
I assume this writer only means that former Judge Matt Destry should “proceed” against anybody who is a member of the Florida Bar, who would be governed by the above rule.
November 23rd, 2016 at 6:16 pm
Guess you need to post a retraction. Burglary charges dropped; convicted robber no longer facing decades in prison
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-herbert-smith-name-cleared-20161123-story.html