Bye Bye Bow Tie

Alabama Mobile Defense lawyers tell Herman Thomas to ditch the bowties for his sex trial. A former prosecutor says its a wise move because a defendant's attire can affect whether jurors consider him credible.
by The Associated Press
Published: Mon, October 12, 2009 - 1:50 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, October 12, 2009 - 1:53 pm CST
MOBILE, Alabama - (AP) - A former judge known for wearing colorful
bow ties when he presided over trials has switched to dull neckties
for his own trial on charges of sexually abusing inmates.
Former Circuit Judge Herman Thomas starts the second week of his
trial Tuesday in Mobile. To temper his image, the defense has had
him shelve flamboyant bow ties, his trademark as a judge, and wear
more conservative neckties.
His lawyers say they told him to change. They say they want
jurors to view him as "Herman Thomas" rather than "Judge
Thomas."
A former prosecutor who now teaches law, Bennett Gershman of New
York, says the change was wise because some people view bow ties as
frivolous. He says a defendant's attire can affect whether jurors
consider him credible.


(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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jchndlr Says:
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 10:40 pm

Pee Wee is white.  Herman is black.  (watch this comment really get some Johnny Cochran type REALLY stirred up..) ; )

Bikermike
Bikermike Says:
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 6:53 pm

I’m just waiting for someone to offer him a book deal,can’t wait till the movie comes out.[ joke ha ha ha ha ]

ickthus
ickthus Says:
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 6:08 pm

A guy that has a fetish for bow ties and his lawyer doesn’t want him to wear them at a trial where he is accused of having a sexual fetish of paddling young men while under lock down? Dude, you could use that for your opening statement!  I think the old cowboy is afraid he will slip up and call him Pee Wee if he see him in a bow tie.

rmseek1234 Says:
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 4:37 pm

So maybe he needs a gay shopping buddy too,huh? Oh never mind, that’s kinda what led to all this isn’t it?

lovepeace
lovepeace Says:
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 4:33 pm

I have no idea, but the dude obviously doesn’t conform to fashion trends (hence the bow tie).

rmseek1234 Says:
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 4:26 pm

Not since they were in style in the 80’s. Think that is a fashion statement I can live without…

Haha-on the tie clip. They still make those things???

lovepeace
lovepeace Says:
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 4:21 pm

Rm, what, you don’t?

I bet he wears a small golden paddle for a tie-clip.

rmseek1234 Says:
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 4:17 pm

You wear a tie,lovepeace??? I hear the ‘80’s are coming back in style…lol

Wonder if they can sell those bow ties,kinda like the MJ memorabilia? Might be worth something one day…

BamaBob
BamaBob Says:
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 3:52 pm

Did they also tell him to leave the paddle at home?

freedomtofascismcom Says:
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 3:49 pm

This will no doubt be an interesting case to follow. If What is alleged occured then this guy needs to be a lifer in the pen.

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