“Court Case Friday”
One afternoon I had a large group of prisoners in the “cage” in my courtroom. I started advising them of their constitutional rights. One of the women suddenly interrupted me and screamed, “I don’t recognize you.” I thought to myself, “I don’t’ recognize you either.” She continued:
Defendant: “I am a God! I don’t recognize you, and I don’t recognize your jurisdiction! You are a mere mortal! I am a god! I only recognize two mortals, Washington and Lincoln.”
Judge: [I couldn’t resist] “What about Thomas Jefferson? He’s the Father of the Declaration of Independence. You’ve got to recognize him!”
Defendant: “I don’t recognize him. He’s a mere mortal. I am a god. I only recognize Washington and Lincoln.”
Judge:“What about James Madison? He’s the Father of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. You’ve got to recognize him!”
Defendant: “No, he’s just a mere mortal. I am a god. I don’t recognize him either. I only recognize Washington and Lincoln.”
Judge: “What about John Adams? You’ve got to recognize him!”
Defendant: [Pointing her finger at me and sneering] “You are starting to annoy me! You are a mere mortal. I am a god. You are weak. I am strong. I am a god. I don’t recognize you, and I don’t recognize your jurisdiction!”
Judge: “Very well, I’m appointing the public defender to represent you and setting your case for trial.”
Three weeks later, I saw the public defender who was assigned to this woman’s case. I asked him how it was going. He said, “Awful! She wouldn’t cooperate with me because she is a god, and I am a mere mortal.” Then he added, “She only recognized three mortals.”
“Three mortals?” I inquired.
“Yes, Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson.”
Apparently, I had made a lasting impression. Next time, I will try to get her to recognize Madison.
(www.londonedition.net)
(A personal favorite, and popular, court case. Posted 3 years ago, but worth repeating.)
The London Edition 