Man Detained in Alleged Kidnapping Plot

 By John R. Byrne

This case feels like it's destined for Dateline. The defendant, David Knezevich, is accused of a bizarre international kidnapping plot involving his estranged wife that may have ended up in her murder. Judge Torres ordered him detained pre-trial, though he apparently struggled with that decision, noting the case against Knezevich was based on circumstantial evidence. Expect a lot of media coverage on this one. Herald covers it here.

“Use your voice… unapologetically.”

 Guest Post by Vanessa Johannes

That was the message conveyed by the Honorable Nancy G. Abudu, who was appointed to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in 2023, at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Gala on May 11, 2024 at the Intercontinental Hotel.  For those who haven’t attended this gala before, it is a MUST DO affair in South Florida!  The who’s who of the community are in attendance, and dressed to the nines with their dancing shoes on (this year, there was a live Calypso band and Bahamian drummers).  Politicians, such as Mayor Suarez, lawyers, and business leaders attend this star-studded affair, which awards several law school students with scholarships and then honors outstanding lawyers and companies who are committed to justice, diversity and leadership in our community.   

This year’s honorees were Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (in her signature large, glittery cowgirl hat), UPPAC, the Lotus House Women’s Shelter, and Judge Abudu, who gave the keynote speech.  Judge Abudu’s speech was a candid one – she spoke about the hardships of being “a first” in a particular space (she is the first Black woman on the Eleventh Circuit).  “How do you conform to an institution not designed for you … an institution that historically has not reflected or served you … how do you maintain your own identity, while balancing assimilation to this role and institution … how do you lead with joy when pain is inevitable for so many who look like you but are not afforded the same opportunities?”   

These were some of the questions posed by a deeply intellectual and reflective judge that has the weight of much on her shoulders.  Ironically, in answering some of these questions for herself, she was inspired by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, a jurist who, as Judge Abudu concedes, usually does not share her legal philosophy and positions.  

 Despite their opposite views, though, both have had to navigate being lone standers in their respective spaces and Justice Thomas reminds Judge Abudu of “what it looks like to be unapologetic.” Even when the masses are not with him, “his voice is still his voice.”  He is not afraid to share his philosophical views on interpreting the law and that teaches her to do the same.  Judge Abudu’s words hit home for so many who are navigating truth to power as “firsts” or “outsiders,” balancing inclusion, respect, imposter syndrome, and, candidly, where they fit in.  Importantly, her perspective and alignment with Justice Thomas reminded the room that even during these deeply polarizing times, we must all sometimes take a step back and see things from another’s perspective – even if that person is someone we don’t care to trade shoes with.   

Maybe especially if that is a person we don’t want to trade shoes with.  It was a timely message for a group galvanized to continue moving the arch towards justice and working for a more inclusive and diverse world.

11th Circuit Conference and FACDL-Gala

1. It was my first time attending the 11th Circuit conference, and it did not disappoint.  This year it was in Point Clear, Alabama.  It was nice to see the judges without their robes and courtrooms.  Chief Judge Pryor put on an entertaining set of speakers, including Judge Kevin Newsom interviewing Sarah Isgur.  Justice Thomas headlined the event, and his speech got some news.

The flight back on Friday night was delayed 3 hours, and half of the federal bench and bar was on the flight, and still in good spirits! (That's me at the way back of the picture).

 2. The previous weekend was the big FACDL-Gala.  I'm so proud of my partner Lauren Krasnoff for being sworn in as President of the organization and of Michael Caruso for being honored (that's him with a bunch of former defenders, including Judge Kathy Williams, who introduced Michael).

 

3.  This weekend I posted the candidates for the two open magistrate judge slots.  See the post below.  I didn't want it to get lost as it is important.

Breaking -- 6 Magistrate Judge candidates for two slots

 The judges will vote on this list at the next meeting:

Ellen DeAngelo

Christian Dunham

Yeney Hernandez

Marlene Fernandez-Karavetsos 

Enjolique Lett

Stephanie Turk

An important and timely event. I hope everyone can make it.

 

BREAKING -- WH nominates Embry Kidd to the 11th Circuit

 Here's the release:

1. Judge Embry J. Kidd: Nominee for the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Judge Embry J. Kidd has been a United States Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida since 2019. Judge Kidd previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida from 2014 to 2019. From 2009 to 2014, Judge Kidd worked as an associate at Williams & Connolly LLP in Washington, D.C. Judge Kidd served as a law clerk for Judge Roger L. Gregory on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit from 2008 to 2009. He received his J.D. from Yale Law School in 2008 and his B.A. from Emory University in 2005.

Spy Game or National Origin Discrimination?

By John R. Byrne

Last July, Florida passed a law restricting certain "foreign principals" from six countries of concern (including Venezuela and Cuba) from owning property in the state. The most significant restrictions are directed at those domiciled in China who don't hold either US Citizenship or permanent residency. Sponsors of the law assert that Chinese nationals have been buying up property in the United States, posing risks to national security, including concerns about spying. Now plaintiffs are filing lawsuits in federal court challenging the law on the basis that it discriminates on the basis of national origin in violation of the Fair Housing Act and the Florida Constitution. One of the cases landed in front of Judge Gayles. Complaint is below. And the New York Times covers the law--and the recent lawsuits--here. 

In other news, the Trump criminal trial down here has been pushed pending resolution on how to address classified documents at trial. ABC News covers it here.

Complaint by John Byrne on Scribd

13 federal judges, including Judge Branch, refuse to hire clerks for anyone attending Columbia undergrad or law school

Wow, how strange.  They aren't refusing to hire students who disrupted class or who signed the silly letter saying to cancel class.  They are refusing to hire all students from Columbia.  

This takes the question in the prior post to a whole new level! And it doesn't make much sense -- they won't hire a Jewish student who was victimized by the protests? And why limit it to Columbia? 

NEW: 13 federal judges say they will no longer hire clerks from Columbia Law School OR Columbia College after the university allowed an encampment on its lawn to spiral into a destructive occupation of a campus building.

This is the first clerkship boycott to hit undergrads.🧵 pic.twitter.com/Ex3GlqBUtK

— Aaron Sibarium (@aaronsibarium) May 6, 2024