‘Get your bag and head north’
‘Get your bag and head north’
Judge Thorne sends Indiana man packing
news@theeveningtimes.com
Judge Fred Thorne in West Memphis Municipal Court on Monday spoke to two people in jail who had felonies, “It makes me sad to see that people 18 years old are in jail for felonies.
What are your lives going to become when you are already in jail for felonies at this age?”
A man in jail charged with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct pled no contest to both charges.
“You were at school and jumped on a young lady’s’ car and damaged the hood and windshield? Are you in high school?”
“Yes.”
“What is it? Graduation Day here in court?”
“I was in a fight and got pushed onto her car.”
“I tell you what, if you want a trial where you can possibly get one year and $2500 or I will give you $250 plus court costs and six months jail down to six months probation. Do you want option A or option B?”
“Option B.”
“Good choice. I want you back here next Friday and bring a parent. I also want restitution next week.”
A man in jail on possession of marijuana pled guilty.
“You aren’t going to quit smoking are you? You had charges in ‘06, ‘07 … ‘14.
When are you going to quit?”
“Now is the time to quit,” replied the defendant.
“$500 plus court costs and 45 days jail. At least you won’t be smoking for 45 days,” said Judge Thorne.
A woman in jail was
Judge Fred Thorne charged with public intoxication. She pled guilty. To her charge of assault 1st degree, she pled no contest.
“Why did you put a knife on him?”
“He had the knife and dropped it. I picked it up.”
“The officer said he saw you with the knife and dropped it on the bed.”
“I had the knife.”
“$350 plus court costs and the public intoxication.
$500 plus court costs on the assault and 45 days jail. It would have been better if you had told me the truth the first time.”
Another woman in jail pled no contest to two disorderly conduct charges.
“Do you have a bad temper?”
“No, sir. I got beat up.”
“The officer told you to calm down and you told them to ‘F… off, you can leave.’” “The guy was in my room.”
“If you have an address in West Memphis, why were you in a motel room?”
“It was because of my job. I was selling cleaners.”
“We will take your cash bond on the first charge.
Three days jail on the second
charge.”
A man in jail was charged with improper backing and failure to appear. He pled no contest.
“You got a court date then went out of town? Asked Judge Thorne.
“I went in to pay my charges.”
“He came in to pay his charges and got arrested,” said the court clerk.
“$55 plus court costs on the backing and court costs on the failure to appear.”
A woman in jail pled guilty to owing $355 plus court costs.
“Go talk to the public defender. You got all kinds of charges.”
A woman in jail was charged with theft pled not guilty. She pled no contest to failure to appear and two counts of no insurance. She pled no contest to expired tags.
“Why didn’t you come to court?”
“I was in the hospital.”
“Why were you driving with no insurance and no tags?”
“I needed to go to my son’s school.”
“Your trial date is set for June 20. $275 plus court costs on the first no insurance and $750 on the second count of no insurance and $55 plus court costs on the expired tags.”
A man in jail was charged with loitering and pled no contest.
“Is there a warrant for theft for you out of Indiana?”
“Yes.”
“You were holding a sign for help. Well you got it.
You got a free room and something to eat. Jail let him out tomorrow. Get out of Crittenden County. Get your bag and head north.”
A man in jail charged with public intoxication pled no contest.
“Do they allow you to take vodka back to the mission?”
“I didn’t have vodka. I had a few beers.”
“The officer said you had vodka in your back pocket.
I’ll show you not guilty and if you lied to me I’m going to give you 30 days.”
“I’m guilty.”
“Okay then $250 plus court costs.”
A young woman in the courtroom pled no contest to no proof of insurance and guilty to improper backing.
“What is your grade point?”
“3.0.”
“Are you going to go to college?”
“Yes. ASU. I already started at Mid-South.”
“Do you know how to use a shovel?”
“No.”
Her mother had walked up with her.
“Mom this is for you to decide. $75 court costs or four hours community service at the animal shelter?”
“Community service,” said
the mother.
“Good choice!”
“Whose car was it?”
“My mom.”
“Who pays the insurance?”
“Mom.”
“Your mom works hard to pay the insurance. Do you realize they will raise her premium? Set a review date for May 27. Be back here and show proof that you have done the community service. I will give you two days jail if it has not been done.”
By the Evening Times News Staff
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