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Post by tcrashfx on Apr 5, 2007 17:59:32 GMT -5
posted April 5, 2007 A man on probation with an 8-year sentence for selling crack cocaine later got a workhouse sentence on new charges, but another judge gave him a "furlough" to Drug Court, officials said Thursday. Prosecutor Dave Denny said General Sessions Court Judge Ron Durby did not have authority to give the furlough to Derrick M. Long for the Drug Court that is handled by Criminal Court Judge Rebecca Stern. Long said in court on Thursday that he got the furlough without ever appearing before Judge Durby. He said he was represented at the time by Christian Coder of the public defender's office. When he got the release, Long had served just over a month of an 11 month and 29-day sentence from another General Sessions Court judge, Clarence Shattuck. Judge Shattuck was not aware Long had gotten the Durby furlough. |
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Kordax
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Hank Rearden
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Post by Kordax on Apr 5, 2007 18:12:53 GMT -5
Very, VERY suspicious....
Would one characterize Durby's actions as incompetence or something else?
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Post by tcrashfx on Apr 5, 2007 20:00:42 GMT -5
Not sure in this case, Kordax.
I seriously don't think it is incompetence as Judge Durby is one of the better GSC Judges.
Of all the cases that flow through the HCGSC (Hamilton County General Sessions Court) each year, a paperwork mistake, or two is going to happen.
The HCGSC is the court through which almost all criminal cases pass on their way to "Justice".
Then it is off the the Grand Jury and if a "True Bill" is received, the case moves to "The Hill" (Hamilton County Criminal Court).
I will venture to say that this is a miscommunication or paper work error.
At least they caught it before the dude whacked some guy!
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Kordax
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Hank Rearden
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Post by Kordax on Apr 5, 2007 22:26:25 GMT -5
The "furlough" issue is another matter, perhaps even more serious.
Durby might have been mixed up as to which judge had jurisdiction with this particular convicted criminal, but surely he wasn't confused in deciding to grant a "furlough" in the 1st place.
How do these things work in Chattanooga -- a) how frequently are they given? b) for what lengths of time? c) Which criminals are eligible -- drug dealers obviously are but what about violent criminals? d) When did local judges start granting these things & under whose authority? e) Is this something local or does every criminal court in TN have the authority to grant these things? f) How many furloughs are granted locally in a year? g) How many furloughed criminals re-offend in some way when they're out walking around?
This sounds like Willie Horton stuff; didn't anyone learn a lesson after Dukakis furloughed that convicted murderer who decided to murder again in Maryland after he was given a weekend pass?
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