Kathleen Williams

Kathy Williams, the Federal Defender for the Southern District of Florida, was sworn in today for another term (by 11th Circuit Judge Rosemary Barkett). Everyone who knows Kathy knows how great she is. Of course, I'm biased because I worked for her. But the judges and the AUSAs all respect her and the job she has done for this district. What most people don't know is that she is one of the leaders for the entire indigent defense community nationwide. This district is *very* lucky to have her.

"Nada -- is that how you say `nothing' in Portuguese?''

That's Albert Krieger after being asked to give a statement for the husband-and-wife leaders of a Brazilian evangelical megachurch who pleaded not guilty Tuesday to currency smuggling and other charges. Estevam Hernandes Filho and Sonia Moraes Hernandes are the founders of the Reborn in Christ Church. Here's the Herald article.

Recovery

Still trying to recover from eating so much this weekend.....

In the meantime, there's some good stuff from our local reporters:

1. Vanessa Blum had this weekend story about Jose Padilla and torture.

2. Jay Weaver covers the Charles Taylor motion to dismiss (by AFPD Miguel Caridad; response by AUSA Karen Rochlin).

3. Julie Kay has the scoop on who has put in for Magistrate Judge in Ft. Lauderdale. So far, we have Assistant federal defenders Patrick Hunt, Stewart Abrams, and Dave Brannon. From the US Attorney's office we Robin Rosenbaum and Patty Diaz. There are rumors, according to the article, that a private practitioner has also put in. Anyone know who?

Cully Stimson Resigns

See ya. Previous coverage here.

"He's waiting for Fidel to die so he can meet him in hell and beat him up."

A quote from one of my favorite lawyers, Jack Blumenfeld, about his client Jose Battle. Here's another interesting article from Category 305.