Jackson Jambalaya

yup ! Here come's dah Jerge! Make no mistake in regard to what this is all about. This is an ORGANIZED effort by a few to ruin the man's reputation and career all because of the color of his skin. The courtroom's in Hinds County have been thrown into chaos because of 1/2 wit public defenders and activist lawyers that seem hell bent on destroying the system...Maybe a poem from Jerge Thommie would be appropriate now?

What a circus. All involved should be embarrassed.

"..in a paranoid manner"? " Acted paranoid"? Is this acceptable nowadays to use a medical diagnosis as descriptive adjectives without experts agreeing?

It surely would smooth the way for many who represent criminals to get Judge Weill off the bench.

Going to be interesting to see what this "secret" improper behavior is when not on the bench.

Larita Cooper-Stokes will find him guilty. He can't get a fair trial in Hinds County.

Hhmmm - sounds like her reaction kind of proves he was right.

Kind of wondering why Karla waited this long to file this.
List of nutty judges in Hinds County: Weill, Stokes, Skinner, Green, Singletary...

When I saw that the lawyer accused Weill of “physiological abuse” I figured it was a Precious Martin-type. Nope. Ashley Ogden.

That takes some balls.

How is she bringing claims of libel and other intentional torts three years after the fact? It's a one year statute.

Physiological harassment? What did he do, make her get on a treadmill?

This an embarrassing charade by an attorney who has a vendetta against Weill. This claim will be dismissed in a heartbeat, if for no other reason then all potential statute of limitations which could apply have long run.

For an attorney to accuse a sitting Judge (who he challenged for election) of forgery just to get him recused from all of his cases-that takes some hubris.

All of this comes on the same day where the Miss. Supreme Court reversed one of his rulings and in an a case where he was affirmed, he was given a lecture on how to apply the rules of evidence in a concurring opinion.

But, of course, it's all the public defenders' fault.

is the court administrator actually "employed" by the judge?

What was the latter case?

Anyone know what judge has been assigned to the case? I assume no sitting judge in Hinds County can/would hear this. Wonder who will be brought in.

The Ogden part is fishy, but if you went looking for a trial lawyer to sue a sitting judge, you'd probably get several refusals before finding someone.

9:42. Why don't you actually read the post.

Chancellor case? Where is the lecture? Dissents don't count.

before the date she was "employed", the "Defendant engaged in a pattern of abusive language and disrespectful actions against the Plaintiff and others since Plaintiff began working for Defendant" ?????

In the months preceding Defendant became more paranoid of other attorneys and persons he was required to interact with????

physiological harassment???? How exactly does one harass another physiologically? Throw oxygen at them? hurl electromagnetic insults?

Forced Plaintiff to sign a forged document? the very fact that it states she signed the document removes the forgery. construction of a document to be signed is not forgery

Ashley Ogden should be ashamed to attach himself to such openly illegal actions. Being party to filing obvious false documents to the court and an accomplice to further actions being considered by the Supreme Court.

In case one is too bored to read. Even to this untrained, redneck, layperson, it's obvious that the Defendant was justifying cause to ask for the resignation of the Plaintiff and provided such information to Plaintiff's new "employer" upon being asked. And that this is some really ignorant attempt at thinking anyone would believe this obvious attempt to misrepresent the facts.

These people are why the legal profession should be wiped out. Knowingly lying and intentionally obfuscating facts in legal documents should be a felony. This sort of thing should be a more extreme form of perjury as they are entrusted with the law to begin with.

@ 9:54 I did read it, but must have gone blind when the word Stokes was mentioned. Regardless, she can't hear it. A non-Hinds county judge will end up with it.

It’s cute when Kingfish acts like a lawyer.

"Hinds County. A world of difference."

Yes, indeed.

Ashley Ogden cannot win a case before Weill.

Therefore, to get Weill out of the picture, Ashley sued the Judge.

Now Weill will have to recuse himself every time Ashley files a lawsuit.

Pretty effective way to stack the deck.

When they start throwing sh$t at a wall to see if anything sticks you know they are sweating. Next be ready for a "criminal complaint" against the Judge by a disgruntled ex-friend. Seen this crap before. Hopefully the Supremes will shake all these crazies out if the tree soon.

I got to get out of this crazy hell hole. I once thought that the county lines could contain it but it growing way to fast. The entire place has gone nutts.

@11:28: Is this true? Can any attorney just file a case against a Judge with no punishment and then never have to have another case before that Judge? Something does not seem right about this.

How does the term 'physiological harrassment' get past a typist, a proofrooder, a law clerk and two lawyers?
I'll answer my own question. JPS.

If this ever comes to trial I hope Weill's attorney will axe the plaintiff to offer a definition of that term. How can one be guilty of an impossible task?

12:57, what years did Attorney Ogden attend JPS?

Ashley grew up in Florida.

11:28 has apparently figured out why this frivolous lawsuit was filed years after the statute of limitations expired for each claim.

If it gets thrown out maybe Bar sanctions are in order?

Doubt this comment is approved.

Karla Watkins began working in the courthouse when she was a baby. She worked in the DA's Office. Judge Yerger then hired Karla. Weill kept her on Swan's recommendation (I assume). When whatever happened with Weill, Barbara Dunn took her in. Nobody at the courthouse has ever had bad things to say about her in probably 2 decades. I don't know what happened. I do know Karla.

Everyone can't be wrong. Karla Watkins doesn't stay employed for 2 decades making up stories.

@12:35 - No that's not true about a judge having to recuse just because he is sued - although Ogden sure wishes it was. Originally I felt a little bad for plaintiff Bailey, but only because she's being used by Ogden - it's clear as day that "I want to be a judge" Ogden is willing to open up to the public the Plaintiff's mental history (including personal problems, family problems, financial problems etc.) all for Ogden's self-serving financial/ego purpose of, once again, trying to get Weill to recuse himself on Ogden's cases. That's what "emotional" injury cases do. The problem for Ogden is that it's not going to work (again) because a lawyer can't "create" a conflict, then use that "conflict" to get a judge recused - there are dozens of cases that address (and reject) that exact tactic; the problem for the Plaintiff is that the VAST majority of the claims are without any doubt barred by the 1 year statute of limitations. Even if there was any merit to any allegations in the suit, nothing that happened more than 1 year ago can be the basis for recovery - so all of the allegations surrounding her "resigning" basically do not exist from a legal perspective. So what she is left with is "I don't like what the judge said in some recent order".

After some more thought, however, I don't feel bad for the Plaintiff. She was apparently a court administrator so she should know how this works - if she wants to roll out her and her family's history for the world to see because she doesn't like Weill and "resigned", then that's her decision.

4:37pm
Since you know Karla gotta ask...
Why'd she wait 3years to file lawsuit?
Why did she not sue hinds county (her actual employer?
Is she fat?
Did she go to tougaloo?

She is an attractive white woman you racist scumbag.

Sorry KF. Didn't mean to offend. Hard to be racist when I'm not white. Just noticed a lot if frivolous lawsuits from a big folks connected Tougaloo over the last few years. I'm suspicious of gluttons but that doesn't make me racist. Not everything is about race.

This thread (and site) is such a Weill circle jerk.

I am sure this comment won't get approved BUT has anyone thought that maybe Ms. Watkins is....wait for it telling the truth?

I worked at the courthouse for several years. Everyone up there knows Weill is a complete lunatic.

He also fired his baliff out of paranoia.

7:21pm
Luckily for you the Supreme Court is handling this... Hopefully the mob will be controlled and "complete lunatic" is ridiculous. I've seen no proof of it. Show some proof otherwise stop your slander.

Everybody who works at the courthouse knows Judge Weill is a little - well, a lot paranoid. That's not news. What I can't understand is why he couldn't just leave Karla alone. She resigned and got the hell away from him. She's not the only person who works in the Circuit Clerk's office, so why would he accuse her of altering documents? And how can Karla have ex parte communication with anybody if Karla is not a judge or lawyer? She's not even an officer of the court. She's a file clerk. It's going to be interesting to see what the Circuit Clerk has to say when subpoenaed to tell what the good judge instructed her to do regarding hiring Karla.

I hate to break it to all the lawyer wannabe's on here, but many of the claims in the Complaint are governed by the 3 year statute of limitations. Also, Judge Weill is by far the worst of the 4 Circuit Judges in Hinds County.

Excuse me, 7:21. Speak for yourself. I have worked at the courthouse for several years (also) and I do NOT KNOW what you state (on my behalf) that "I know".

I never though of Weill as anything but a 'typical' judge. Not our normal for Hinds County (Green, Kidd) but the typical Circuit Judge. Most of them act as they are the king of their own kingdom - because basically within their courtroom they are. And being elected, many judges have the same ego issues of other elected officials (check out some of our statewides - AG, SOS, Treasurer, etc.)

Frankly, I think Weill is a pretty damn good Judge. Do I agree with all his rulings? Hell no. But do I think he gives due weight to doing his job? Hell of a lot better than most of our Hinds Judges.

Next time - speak for yourself. I realize there are a lot of idiots working in the Hinds County Courthouse and you may be (probably are, statistically) one of them. But that doesn't make you right. Or spokesman for all of us.

And, btw, if Karla's fallback public job when she left the court was to go to work for Dunn, that certainly taints her credibility as far as her proficiency in my opinion.

A good read would be the brief Rob McDuff, a nationally well-known and well -respected lawyer filed in the MS Supreme Court this week in the Hinds County Public Defender case... A serious problem with electing judges is often there are not standards that must be met - i.e., prior litigation experience in courts in which they seek office, years of experience, etc... All too often you wind up with judges on the bench who did not have successful law practices of their own and need a regular salary. This usually catches up with them when they start getting cases reversed by higher courts ... or when they have high acquittals in criminal cases in their courts... that said, MS needs to establish some qualifications for people running for judicial office.

11:02 couldn't agree more.

This is exactly the case with Weill. He was a prosecutor for like 5 mins in the '80s in Walthall County. Spent the majority of his career as a mediator. How much trial experience do you think he has? Basically none.

Is anyone else offended by @6:31's comment, "Hard to be racist when I'm not white"? Since when is racism only committed by white people? I think we all see examples of racism every day--and not only by white people. People of every ethnicity are capable of racism. And no, it's not "reverse racism". Racism is racism, no matter what the color of the perpetrator.

Even if the statute of limitations doesn't suffice, once the plaintiff (or her attorney) is asked to define 'physiological abuse', the case will be tossed...since such abuse is an impossibility (except perhaps by a physician).

Sorry @9:42 but you need to take a quick look at the 2012 case of Carter v Reddix and MS Code 15-1-35 - it's one year for most of these. I would be interested in your legal theory on which causes of action it doesn't apply to in the complaint and why - 25 years of practicing law but I'm always willing to learn something new. If there are cases you interpret as negating Carter, please cite them - I will use them myself in the future.

12:23am
So let me get this straight.
It is racist for me, a black person, to ask if someone is fat? And whether they attended a local HBCU?
Don't call me racist. You are racist for seeing everything as a race issue.

8:07 AM
Carter v Reddix and MS Code 15-1-35
Wow!
That case is real? Are the Reddix's still married?
That guy is an OB/Gyn and he was screwing a patient? What the heck is wrong with that picture?

I once had Berrrrt Case served with a bogus Complaint and summons by an off-duty deputy over 35 years ago while he was eating his lunch, allegeding that he had caused attorney, James McIntyre to suffer a severe attack of gastritis on top of severe emotional distress for referring to James as "John" in a news report regarding a high profile criminal trial that Bert was covering. James was defending the Pearl police chief at the time who had been accused of transporting some "special" ladies up to Eagle Lake in his official patrol car in order that they could "socialize" with some of the city fathers of Pearl and Rankin County's finest. There's more to the story, but I don't want to bore the readers.

WOW @11:14 - just sort of make stuff up as you go don't you! I've known Weill since his prosecutor days, through his litigation days, mediation days and his 5 years as a Judge. Folks just ignore 11:14, he is, unfortunately, a liar. Weill has more experience as a prosecutor than the vast majority of sitting judges. He had also tried dozens and dozens of lawsuits as an attorney. By the way, mediators are chosen by BOTH SIDES of a dispute to mediate BECAUSE OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE, FAIRNESS, OBJECTIVITY, YEARS OF EXPERIENCE and ABILITY TO GET BOTH SIDES TO REACH AN AGREEMENT - that describes Weill perfectly as is evident by the many many times attorneys on both sides of a dispute have asked him to mediate.

Thoughts on Jim Smith being an attorney for plaintiff?

11:34am
The crazies think if they say enough lies and wild opinions it will stick. Like I said, throwing sh$t at a wall. They must be worried their mob attack in the courtroom wearing black did not scare the judge enough. Why are they so against this judge?

Because he is white @2:47PM

@11:34 a.m.: You don't become a mediator because you're a proficient attorney. You become a mediator (or judge) when you can't make enough money successfully practicing law.

8:26pm
I know very successful lawyers who also mediate. Do your homework.

oh snap! Isn't Ashley Ogden the guy that lives on Sheffield (JA) in the HUGE white house that lights up at night like a hand held sparkler?

@10:14 PM - successful lawyers like Weill? Any attorney who has to take second / third jobs (city council jobs, for example) isn't doing it because of their love for extra work. They're doing it because they can't make enough money practicing law to support their families.

Judge' Weill's campaign slogan was "Good Judgment. Great Leadership." In truth, Judge Weill has neither. These repeated public disputes have stained the seat he occupies. His first dispute was with Judge Green that went all the way to the MSSCT for resolution. Next, a dispute with the DA's office that, again, has gone to the MSSCT. Now a lawsuit by a well-respected member of his staff who competently worked with Judge Yerger for years. Good judges are, in many ways, like good umpires. You don't notice them; they fairly call balls/strikes and when they are wrong they acknowledge their mistake and do their best to get it right. Name a GOOD judge who in 5 years has been at the center of 2 public disputes and named as a defendant in a lawsuit for conduct In chambers.

@5:14 PM - Amen, brother.

I don't know Karla or anything about her, but I've practiced law for 30 years and Judge Weill is one of the very worst judges before whom I've ever appeared. He is biased, and has a Presbyterian certitude about the absolute 'rightness' of his prejudged opinions. I don't know if he is paranoid or not, but he is certainly thin-skinned and overly defensive - far more than the typical judge. I've witnessed him do many, many things that screamed out that he has no idea how to actually conduct himself as a judge.

my gawd ya'll! will all of you Ms Ashley trolls stop it? puhleezzzz!

I don't recall any "reversed and rendered" decisions for Judge Weill with respect to the MSSC. I know of several for other sitting Hinds County judges. Weill has done a fine job in cases in which I have participated.

Hmmmmm.... Lots of complaints here about a sitting judge. Few actual examples. Did the MSSC overturn his rulings? More than others? Please post numbers. Proof please learned folks. Otherwise shut your traps.

@7:17 - The fact that someone expresses an opinion contrary to yours does not make the poster a troll. I expressed my opinion (@7:17) based on personal experience. I also happen to think Ashley Ogden is a fool...but just because he's late, and can't write or proofread doesn't mean he would not be be abusive to a court employee. I've never seen him do that but it is consistent with his conduct toward attorneys and litigants that I have seen.

@8:44 - I'm not trying a lawsuit here or trying to convince you, I'm expressing an opinion. I'm not disclosing the multiple examples of astoundingly poor judgeship I've seen because to do so would identify either me or my clients - and I have other clients to represent before this self-righteous dumbass who I believe would be punished for their choice of counsel. I will make my complaints to the Judicial Performance Commission, not to you.

Y'all's daddies paid for y'all to go to school to act like this?

Buy one, get six free.

Please...take a look for yourself. All of this is searchable on the Mississippi Judiciary website...and I stopped well before I could have.

Reversed and rendered:
http://courts.ms.gov/images/Opinions/CO99909.pdf

Reversed and remanded in part:
http://courts.ms.gov/Images/Opinions/CO94520.pdf

Reversed and remanded:
https://courts.ms.gov/Images/Opinions/CO94346.pdf

Reversed and remanded:
http://courts.ms.gov/Images/Opinions/CO102627.pdf

Reversed and remanded:
http://courts.ms.gov/Images/Opinions/CO100814.pdf

Reversed and remanded:
http://courts.ms.gov/images/HDList/..%5COpinions%5CCO91920.pdf

Reversed in part and remanded:
http://courts.ms.gov/Images/Opinions/CO90101.pdf

Take a look at the reasons why he has been reversed, and then ask yourself whether he is being "fair"

These aren't just normal mistakes on evidentiary rulings, which he also does not know unless his court administrator whispers in his ear how to rule on the matter.

To be fair, the reversed and rendered decision really concerned Hilburn's ruling and Weill having to deal with a case he inherited.

Posting up MSSC data to likely non-lawyer (or transactional, if one)doesn't seem necessary to prove that Weill is not a nice/fair guy. He has never ruled against me exactly, and has always treated me fairly well from a litigant standpoint, but every time I have have been in his courtroom, he has been a jackass to other attorneys, the staff, and the defendants. He DOES seem to be paranoid, when I have met with him in chambers. Who knows what his problems are, but it is apparent that he has some if you are around him at all. Ashley is a huckster, but it is at least good that Weill is getting some scrutinty--same goes for the rest of you Butler Snow types (lol).

"Did the MSSC overturn his rulings? More than others? Please post numbers. "

Good question. I think this came up here on this blog a year or so ago.

IIRC, Weill had the fewest decisions overturned of his peers.

@1:29 You're just wrong. You may think you're correct, and that's fine. But you're wrong.
No one forced him to appoint the AG's office to prosecute a case that the DA knew did not have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction.
His role is the judge. Not the prosecutor.

@ 2:25 Can you read? "On March 14, 2012, Judge Hilburn entered a second order appointing the Division of Public
Integrity of the Mississippi Office of the Attorney General as special prosecutor." This order came after Judge Hilburn's order from the previous day, March 13, 2012, which stated,"IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the District Attorney in and for the Seventh Circuit Court District, State of Mississippi, and the staff of the District Attorney’s Office, should recuse itself from prosecuting the above-styled and numbered cause for the reasons stated above and this matter will be transferred to the Mississippi Attorney General’s
Office."

To really understand what is going on here, you have to go back couple of years. Someone above mentioned Weill going to the supreme court against Judge Green a couple of years back and tried to make it sound like a "bad thing" by Weill - from what I read nothing could be further from the truth. Judge Green tried to strip Weill of all criminal cases. Weill said "you can't do that because my duties as a judge include hearing criminal matters and, the people who elected me have the right to expect that I will hear criminal matters." Given what I've seen about Weill, he probably approached Judge Green privately and ask her to reconsider. When she didn't, He asked the Supreme Court to "weigh in". I don't know what went on behind closed doors, but ultimately, Weill kept his criminal cases. That would not have been the case if he had not gone to the Supreme Court.

Fast forward a couple of years - now Judge Green's appointee public defender Michelle Harris is going to the supreme court and asking them to remove Weill from criminal cases. Does it not strike anyone else as odd that Judge Green has been completely absent from this controversy, particularly when Judge Green's hand-picked appointee Public Defender Harris staged a completely inappropriate protest INSIDE Weill's court room, including her shouting repeatedly "I will not stand down".

From what I've seen of Weill's record, he truly punishes violent offenders and shows compassion for those nonviolent offenders whose lives may still be salvageable - I don't know what more you could want from a judge than that.

I hope Weill will stay the course - someone at that courthouse needs to!