Anne Hutchinson -“Early American Heroes of Religious Liberty” (Pt 3/5)

Over 150 fifty years before the Bill of Rights, heroic men and women laid the foundation of religious freedom in America. These include Lord Baltimore Cecil Calvert, Roger Williams, William Penn, and Anne Hutchinson. Anne was one of the first American woman heroes. She was intelligent, independent, and strong. Unfortunately, these qualities in a woman … Continue reading Anne Hutchinson -“Early American Heroes of Religious Liberty” (Pt 3/5) →

The LDS Secret Name Changing Committee (SNCC)

Over the years, I have noticed several name changes of church organizations. For example: “Block Teaching” became “Ward Teaching,” which went to “Home Teaching,” which ended up as “Ministering.” I suspect that the church has a “Secret Name Changing Committee” (SNCC).  It is comprised of former retired mission presidents who don’t have other callings, and … Continue reading The LDS Secret Name Changing Committee (SNCC) →

“My” Unpredictable Jurors, Pt 1

I enjoy working with jurors. They are upstanding citizens doing their civic duty, sometimes at great personal sacrifice.  However, like everything else in the criminal justice system, jurors can be unpredictable. Murphy's Law overrides the entire criminal justice system. They Can/Can’t Get By Without Me at Work I had one woman prospective juror who tried to … Continue reading “My” Unpredictable Jurors, Pt 1 →

Roger Williams -“Early American Heroes of Religious Liberty” (Pt 2/5)

Concept of "Separation of Church and State" Roger Williams Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) is given credit for the phrase and concept of “separation of church and state.” That credit is largely misplaced. The person most responsible for “separation of church and state,” is Roger Williams (1601-1684). Roger Williams made a "monumental contribution. . .  to the cause … Continue reading Roger Williams -“Early American Heroes of Religious Liberty” (Pt 2/5) →

The Female School Janitor versus The Wannabe Rapist

I once had an unforgettable and entertaining attempt rape case. The victim was a woman janitor at an elementary school. She was wiry and under 5' tall. She worked throughout the night on the graveyard shift. At about 3:00 am, she heard movement behind her.  She turned around and was shocked to see a man … Continue reading The Female School Janitor versus The Wannabe Rapist →

I Love to Smell Tobacco in the Chapel

"Utah Mormons" versus "California Mormons" Our family often drove to Utah in the summer.  We sometimes spotted people walking to church who were smoking.  My children thought it was awful.  “Utah Mormons,” they huffed. But I thought the sight of someone smoking on their way to church was wonderful. “California Mormons” who smoke “self-excommunicate,” rather … Continue reading I Love to Smell Tobacco in the Chapel →

Religion in Colonial America: “Early Heroes of Religious Liberty” (Pt 1/5)

Unbelievably, after 400 years, freedom of religion is still controversial in America. In the beginning, religious issues permeated colonial America. Members of various sects immigrated to the New World seeking a safe haven for worship.  Some of these religions flourished, some stagnated, some evolved, some fragmented, and some failed. Colonial Denominations Calvinists dominated early Massachusetts.  … Continue reading Religion in Colonial America: “Early Heroes of Religious Liberty” (Pt 1/5) →

My Most Difficult Judicial Decision: Death of the “Miracle” Baby

For an experienced criminal law judge, most cases are not that complex, and most decisions are not that difficult. In fact, most criminal cases are fairly routine. (Drugs, DUI, Theft) Interestingly, my hardest sentencing decision involved a misdemeanor case. California Misdemeanor Vehicular Manslaughter Cases The case was misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. The criminal defendant was a … Continue reading My Most Difficult Judicial Decision: Death of the “Miracle” Baby →

Famous Killers “Last Meal” Requests

It is a modern American tradition that death row inmates should be granted a “last meal” request. Many prisoners do not choose to have a last meal. Facing imminent execution can diminish a person’s appetite. Other prisoners do not want to vomit up their last meal as their last act on earth. There are several … Continue reading Famous Killers “Last Meal” Requests →

Loaded Gun Loose in Our Courthouse

The worst thing that can happen in a courthouse is for a criminal to get a loaded gun. This could be life threatening to witnesses, jurors, attorneys, employees, and, of course, us judges. Courthouse Security Our deputies go to extreme measures to make certain that nightmare never happens. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department does an … Continue reading Loaded Gun Loose in Our Courthouse →