St. Louis, MO - Rubashkin Appeal Set To Be Heard |
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St. Louis, MO - At 1:30 p.m. this Wednesday, June 15th, in the Thomas Eagleton Federal Courthouse in St. Louis, Missouri, an appeal will be argued before three judges on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in one of the most bitterly contested and controversial criminal trials in many years.
The appeal—United States v. Sholom Rubashkin—involves Rubashkin’s conviction of multiple counts of bank fraud, for which he was sentenced to 27 years imprisonment. His trial followed the 2008 raid—the biggest in U.S. history—by more than 600 federal Immigration and Customs agents (ICE) on Rubashkin’s kosher meat-packing plant in Postville, Iowa and the arrest of 389 undocumented workers, mostly Mexican. Rubashkin was arrested for immigration-related crimes, but re-arrested and tried on the financial crimes. Whether Rubashkin is guilty and deserves the astonishingly harsh sentence are pertinent issues that will be argued on his appeal. But just as pertinent—maybe more so—is the conduct of the judges, trial and appellate, called upon to administer justice in his case.
Read full story at Huffington Post 
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Read Comments (15) — Post Yours »
1
Jun 13, 2011 at 01:02 PM Bezalel Says:Report as Inappropriate
Wow; "Judge" Reade is going to coincidentally sit on other cases with two of the appellate judges reviewing her behavior. Do you think that might make it hard for them to tell her that her behavior in the Rubashkin case was unethical?
2
Jun 13, 2011 at 01:49 PM Thoughtful Says:Report as Inappropriate
It is beyond despicable and reprehensible what 's taking place with this case. Is there anybody, ANYBODY with a conscience left in this country to finally call a spade a spade and throw this case out and start anew??
I honestly cannot believe how this is playing out in front of our own very eyes and there's NOTHING we can do about it. Right here in the USA. Between me and you there's not an iota of a chance of him winning this appeal..... (Al pi derech hateva of course).
3
Jun 13, 2011 at 01:52 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Wow; "Judge" Reade is going to coincidentally sit on other cases with two of the appellate judges reviewing her behavior. Do you think that might make it hard for them to tell her that her behavior in the Rubashkin case was unethical? ”
YOU and other's like you should just SHUT UP! Unless you want the Rav to sit 27 years in prison. Instead of throwing himself on the mercy of the court, him and his followers did everything possible to antagonize the Judge. This is not how you win cases.
4
Jun 13, 2011 at 02:10 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
This is old news and has been debated on prior occasions. The optics are not ideal but there is no violation of the rules of Federal procedure or the ethical rules applicable to the Federal appellate courts. The two justices involved are highly respected and have the maturity and integrity to keep the issue of Judge Reade's actions separate from their sitting on a morning panel with her.
5
Jun 13, 2011 at 02:12 PM torontonian Says:Report as Inappropriate
Judges must appear to be just. While there is little doubt that Rubashkin behaviour was against the law, this should still entitle him to the optics of a fair trial.
So far this has not been the case. The appellate court's inclusion of Judge Reade in other proceedings where the has not been part of that court for five years, does little to instil confidence in the legal system. It bring to mind "we'll give him a fair trial and hang 'em in the morning" wild west justice.
6
Jun 13, 2011 at 02:43 PM shredready Says:Report as Inappropriate
I do not see what the issue is she won't be hearing the appeal.
In every case of appeal a question can be asked since judges do know each others and we see they do overturn decisions.
7
Jun 13, 2011 at 02:58 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
I am not commenting about the Rubashkin case per se, but it is frightening how corrupt the US judicial system is. Judges judging themselves? Appeals against a judge going in front of a panel of their friends? How can anyone get justice in such a system?
8
Jun 13, 2011 at 03:05 PM Sol in Surfside Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ YOU and other's like you should just SHUT UP! Unless you want the Rav to sit 27 years in prison. Instead of throwing himself on the mercy of the court, him and his followers did everything possible to antagonize the Judge. This is not how you win cases. ”
Well said. I am glad someone has finally had the guts to come out and tell it like it is.
9
Jun 13, 2011 at 03:28 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ YOU and other's like you should just SHUT UP! Unless you want the Rav to sit 27 years in prison. Instead of throwing himself on the mercy of the court, him and his followers did everything possible to antagonize the Judge. This is not how you win cases. ”
Agreed...the more they try to make this case about Judge Reade, the less likely it is that SMR will ever see his grandchildren outside of a prison visiting room. If he wants to be a martyr then his defense team is doing a first class job.
10
Jun 13, 2011 at 03:44 PM eighthcomment Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ YOU and other's like you should just SHUT UP! Unless you want the Rav to sit 27 years in prison. Instead of throwing himself on the mercy of the court, him and his followers did everything possible to antagonize the Judge. This is not how you win cases. ”
She met and cooperated with the prosecutors BEFORE he appeared before the court. How can you say that it was his actions in front of the court which caused this?! Justice is justice. SMR according to att generals who can wipe the floor with you know he was not judged fairly. Judge Reade should throw herself in front of Gd.
11
Jun 13, 2011 at 03:54 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
My prediction is that a few counts will be found faulty and he will get 10-15 years taken off of his sentence. At least then he will be eligable to go to a lighter prison, either the camp there in Otisville or to Ft. Dix
12
Jun 13, 2011 at 05:00 PM FredE Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Agreed...the more they try to make this case about Judge Reade, the less likely it is that SMR will ever see his grandchildren outside of a prison visiting room. If he wants to be a martyr then his defense team is doing a first class job. ”
The emes is the emes. A judge cannot be in league with prosecutors. I dont care how guilty you think he is, he is entitled to an unbiased judge with no prior background in the case. I hope he wins his appeal. And C'V if he dosent, that the US Supreme Court intervenes. I am no fan of his, but this is over the line. And you should have the guts to say that.
13
Jun 13, 2011 at 07:07 PM Carlo Ponzi Says:Report as Inappropriate
If one Ponzi schemer or market manipulator sits for life because of the same strict sentencing guidelines used to send SMR away, then it is all worth it but sad that SMR has to be the one who suffers.
He was criminally incompetent, not a criminal.
14
Jun 13, 2011 at 09:07 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
What is Sholom's name so we can say Tehillim for him? It's all in HBH court.
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Jun 13, 2011 at 09:59 PM shooki Says:Report as Inappropriate
I'm sorry but I don't see what #1 said wrong. It's stating a true fact.