In case you are unaware of the news from the large city across our nothern border, a police officer was killed Friday night, the sixth police officer to be killed in the line of the duty in 15 months. Tensions between the police and other segments of the city government, whether they be the CJC (Criminal Justice Center) or the Mayor’s office, are at the boiling point. Cops are understandably angry over yet another loss of a fellow comrade.
And yesterday, an idiotic and insenstive Philadelphia Muncipal Court Judge may have caused that boiling water to rise up out of the pot.
In early afternoon, union officials said, Municipal Court Judge Craig M. Washington sought to have the pictures of Pawlowski, 25, taken from his courtroom in the headquarters of the 35th District, at Broad Street and Champlost Avenue, where the officer had been stationed. District officials denied that order, and Washington stepped down from the bench and placed both pictures facedown on the table where they had stood.
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Washington could not be reached for comment, but Municipal Court President Judge Marsha Neifield backed his actions.“Photographs are not permitted directly on the bench when court is in session,” Neifield said. “While photographs placed in other locations are permitted, the courtroom must avoid any appearance of bias.”
McNesby disagreed, saying that district headquarters is a police facility first and a courtroom second.
“It’s a mourning period, and everybody is human,” said McNesby, noting that the district has lost two officers – Charles Cassidy and Pawloski – to gunfire in the line of duty in the last 15 months.
The slain officer’s photograph was not on the bench, but off to the side, McNesby said. “It was out of view, and it was proper. It was on a smaller table, not on the judge’s bench.
“How many judges have we seen shot and killed in the last year? None. We had four police officers killed last year.”
Through a spokesman, Neifield said that Washington would not be in the 35th District for the rest of the week but that court hearings in the district would not be suspended.
Could there be a more disrespectful action than for a person to take two pictures of a hero who died in the line of duty and put them face down, in the same room where that hero reported for duty every day? I understand the Judge had a reason, to protect impartialiality of the court room. Well, that reason is bullshit.
First, where is the courtroom in the first place? In the fucking roll call room of a police station! Where is the impartiality in that?
Second, it is a preliminary hearing, not a trial. No final decisions are being made. You are simply reviewing a case to see if there is enough evidence to hold it over for further prosecution.
This judge should be ashamed of himself. All he had to do is show a little common sense and respect. He could have addressed the court and told the members and the audience that the display, while technically not allowed by court rules, will stay up out of respect for the fallen officer, but the display will in no way affect his impartiality. That would have covered Washington’s ass. And that is why this started in the first place, because Judge Washington was trying to cover his ass.
Well Judge, you don’t cover your ass by kicking a fallen hero while he is down.