A Judicial Smackdown in Dallas… Literally
Two civil court judges in the Lone Star State got physical in their benchslapping yesterday, reports the Dallas Morning News Crime Blog:
It was a reported shoving match between Judge Carlos Cortez of the 44th Civil District Court and Judge Eric V. Moyé of the 14th Civil District Court. The fight occurred in Cortez’s chambers in front of a witness — a Dallas County sheriff’s deputy, according to Roger Mandel, who is Cortez’s attorney.“Judge Cortez was physically assaulted by Judge Moye in Judge Cortez’s chambers,” Mandel said. “Judge Moye’s conduct is being investigated by the Sheriff’s Department.”
Moyé went after Cortez in Cortez’s own chambers! That’s so wrong. One tipster explains why Moyé might have had an advantage in the tangle:
I’d take Moyé in the fight… [he] is a long-time student of Aikido (see this - he’s also a top Amazon reviewer) and I think he still teaches at his dojo. In any event, the interesting question is what this would do (true or not) to Moyé’s alleged aspirations to the federal bench (he was nominated by Clinton back in the day and is rumored to have a continuing interest).
Well, we now know Moye is mighty capable of the judicial smackdown, an important part of being a federal judge. But it looks like he’s going to be the subject of a criminal investigation, which can’t be good for his aspirations.
More on this, why the judges were mixing it up, and Judge Cortez’s MySpace page, after the jump.
The Dallas Morning News reports that the matter has been handed over to the Texas Rangers — the police agency not the baseball team — for a criminal investigation.
But Moyé says he didn’t throw any aikido moves at Cortez:
“I went to talk to him about a couple of e-mails he sent, and he was verbally abusive. I pointed my finger at him and he pushed it away. That’s it,” Moyé said.
What caused the judges to come to blows verbal abuse and finger pointing?
Moyé said the e-mails were related to court business and declined to elaborate.
Hmmm…. not very juicy. We’ll monitor Judge Cortez’s MySpace page in the hopes that he writes something about it on his MySpace blog. Yes, Judge Carlos Cortez is on MySpace. He’s straight, single, and, most importantly, a Libra. Such a good astrological sign for a judge.
Smackdown in the Dallas County courthouse: two judges go after each other [Crime Blog/Dallas Morning News]
Texas Rangers to look at Dallas County courts building confrontation between Judges Cortez, Moyé [Dallas Morning News]
(79) Comments
Comments
first!!
Second.
This fight was over who had a fatter wife and a nicer Lexis.
3500 sq ft, bitches!
idiots - these people are not FEDERAL judges
I would like above the law to do a 64 man bracket of CoA judges...ATL users could advance judges through the bracket based on who they think would win in a fight (UFC sanctioned rules)...
Are these photos for real?
The white "judge" looks like he's barely in college, and isn't trying to hide that fact.
The black "judge" looks like he's barely as old as the white "judge," and to hide that fact he's wearing one of those fake stage beards that he wears by means of hooks over his ears.
Cortez is a disgrace to the Dallas bar. It will be a shame if he is reelected to the bench.
Ms. Hill, your articles are passable and you have an edge in that you look like a younger version of my first wife. That being said, you should really distiguish between the types of judges out there. The judges mentioned in this article may wear black robes but anyone with a brain knows they are nothing but glorified hearing officers who rake in money for their respective towns or districts by issuing fines for traffic infractions and small ordinance violations. Moreover, most of these "judges" are elected by popular vote, meaning that qualifications are bare minimal for these positions. Just look at the faces of these "judges." I wouldn't humble myself to address these clowns aside from tossing them a check for a fine.
These men are fools. 7 you are correct.
PE, they are civil judges, not criminal.
8, these are civil district court judges not municipal court judges. They hear all the regular state court cases.. contract disputes, car wrecks, slip and falls, medical malpractice.. etc.
Necessary racist joke here as to why Mexicans and Blacks shouldn't get into law. Just kidding?
This is why the whole URM thing should go.
This comment is addressed to post no. 10.
Thank you for the clarification. Ironic that these buffoons are civil judges yet lack professional civility. They are both a disgrace to the robes they wear and the districts they serve.
12 - You needn't be.
4 - So what? This is ATL, not UTR. State judges are fair game here.
6: wow, right on analysis. that black guy does look like he's 19 years old with a shaved dome and one of those "fake-jack-from-lost" beards
All the judges are elected in Tx. And the ballot process allows straight ticket voting. However, you are no longer allowed to go to court armed. Just schools.
Scalia could kick both their asses.
PE, I hope you die of the Texas Big AIDS, I really really do.
The Anti-SMU
PE you are truly a dumbass. Please just stop. You have butchered your shtick so badly at this point, it's just sad. Who thinks CIVIL district court judges issue "fines for traffic infractions and small ordinance violations"?? It's unlikely that you would say something so dumb after even 1 year of LS, so I don't think you're even a 1L, as people here have contended.
I am convinced you are a transactional paralegal who gets their shits and giggles out of trying to convince real lawyers that you are one of them.
19=rising 1L
This is so incredibly sexist. Truly shameful.
PE @ 14: You suck. That clarification wouldn't be needed for even the average layperson. Even the average idiot on the street knows that civil court judges don't issue criminal punishments.
Just shut up already...
I bet you Halverson out in Nevada could take both of their asses with a frying pan.
Scalia is like Chuck Norris in a black mumu.
More evidence that the Blacks and Hispanics are throwing down on a global scale. Race War! Race War!
21 - You don't get it, do you?
Partners get to be assholes, and keep on keeping on. Schmuck associates like you get kicked to the curb.
So what's your problem? You thought this was an oasis?
Heheh.
28, your comment is out of context with anything 21 said. You make no sense, and are probably retarded.
Jesus Christ, it's a good thing I offed myself in '87. What's the world coming to when a barely out of diapers kid like Chavez becomes a judge?
Then again, I guess he would have been preferable to Judge Muir.
28 = PE. Also, that didn't make any sense. None. Completely idiotic and non-responsive.
I am even more convinced that PE/you could not possibly even be a law student. I am beginning to doubt that you're even a paralegal. Perhaps, a newly minted legal secretary? Or maybe still an undergrad?
-21
Yet another reason to stop electing judges and adopt the Missouri Plan (which, incidentally, is under attack in Missouri: http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/1165620.html)
As I've said before, PE IS A BIGLAW PARALEGAL who likely has a strong liberal arts undergrad degree and is bitter to take orders from associates that he believes are intellectual inferiors.
I agree. That black man appears to be wearing a costume beard. Is everyone in this strange, or just the Mexicanos and the Blacks?
UVA2L
To: 5
CC: Elie
That is a great idea. A bracket with COA judges. But make it a legal battle of wits, not based on physical fighting ability. I would be interested to see what COA judges make it to the final 4 among readers. But you gotta start with all the judges. It would interesting to see everyone's former clerks get into it.
You could do little tidbits about the judges in your daily updates, etc.
PE posts so far today: 12. It's 2:45. Further proving my point the man has no job. Law student or unemployed bitter associate. You're choice.
what a bunch of tomfoolery
Moye is a HLS grad
Isn't that cute? Texans elect judges and think they have the rule of law. It's like they think they're people.
36, I think you give him too much credit. I would say he's either an undergrad or a paralegal/secretary at a firm with no work.
The flame accounts here have really shit the bed. The only funny one was NEWSFLASH.
Moye looks like Philip Banks from Fresh Prince.
36 is probably PE. The "you're" vs "your" mistake is the kicker in that comment. In his mind convincing people he is either a law student or an unemployed lawyer is a victory--considering he is likely a paralegal or secretary.
What a bunch of bally hoo.
Check out how much crap that Judge has been able to buy on Amazon on his judge's salary. It's all about cost of living people. Just ask Lebron James. He'd be living in a studio in NYC.
I find it hard to believe that Moye would attack Cortez with aikido, since traditional aikido is a wholly defensive martial art - both in ideology and in practice. That's why it is practiced by Lifeline, G.I. Joe's unarmed medic.
Remember: knowing is half the battle.
Just two darkies going at it over some bitch ho.
He has a black belt in aikido and the boots to match.
Partner Emiritus, what's the topic on Dr. Phil today?
This response is directed to number 43. Please do not mock my spelling ability, you insular twit. I can read and right much better than others on this bored.
Why do I keep getting spam mail from endofesq.com? Has anyone else heard of this site? I just delete it, but it keeps coming back.
Nobody fall into PE's trap or complete idiocy.
I like PE. I find his insight to be on point most of the time and can see how it makes others feel uncomfortable or insecure.
@36-sounds like you are a PE stalker. If he has posted 12 comments, I am sure you have posted 24 posts attacking his. I guess that either makes you an unemployed associate or a law student with no employment prospects.
At 52, you're a fucking moron being duped by a child whose views resemble an idiot in a political science class who heavily emphasizes Adam Smith's view of capitalism. PE has a brain no more advanced than a senior in high school, and has very limited knowledge upon how real capital markets work. His statements alone should convince any transactional lawyer, and most litigators, that he is a phony who has no idea of the complexity of the law.
did someone hack PE's profile?
PE uses far too many youngster phrases to be a senior partner of any law firm, much less a stuck up white shoe place.
did someone hack PE's profile? "bored"?
PE - Your spelling skills need some help there cowboy.
@54- You obviously went to a TTT school since you flunked reading comprehension. 49 is a phony copycat. E M E R I T I U S.
That's a veal roast, Your Honor.
USDA approved and stamped.
Men kill animals and eat their flesh.
Eric Moyé slapped a judge.
He slapped a judge.
And he did it in chambers...
...in a manner consistent
with his religious beliefs.
LOL 58 = DOUBLE FAIL.
1) "flunked reading comprehension"... lolwut!?
2) E-m-e-r-t-i-u-s, seems you can't read either. You must have flunked reading comprehension too!
PE - you mean insolent, not insular, dumbo.
That's correct boys and girls. These are the people that we have in our profession to look up to and model our own careers after. I'm glad I got in in a brawl in law school to prepare me for my glorious law career.
But seriously, there are a few people at my old BigLaw firm that I'd like to slap with the back of my hand like the b*tches they are. bla. dow.
Blacks v. Mexicans, courtroom showdown, let's go!
We obviously need more of these guys on the Supreme Court.
"Judge" Moye is an absolute EMBARASSMENT! Last year he demanded an apology from a commissioner (who was white) and called that commissioner racist because he described the traffic ticket office a "black hole." Another black commissioner wanted him to change the word to a "white hole." I hope this guy gets run out of any job where he is serving the public. He is just as bad as the judge in DC who was suing a dry cleaner millions of dollars for losing his pants!
this is just a preview of what will happen in SCOTUS if a mexican is appointed to the bench......clarence "uncle" thomas and "sugar" sotomayor will be next on the fight card
Can someone help me. When I was a teen, there was a video game that had one of the bosses' minions who looked like Moye. Sort of like a Mr. T look alike.
Put him in a body bag, Johnny!
Judge Cortez looks like Shepard Smith from Fox Cable News.
66- I think the game was Double Dragon.
64 - that was COUNTY Judge Thomas Jones dumbass. There is more than one black elected official in Dallas you know.
Truth about Latham:
Latham NY Recruiting department always get into affairs with partners. One married a partner and another one ruined her engagement because of an affair with a partner and an associate. Latham should hire professionals. Another example of mismanagement.
Q. What do you get when you cross a Hispanic and an African American? (see that was a politically correct question - right?)
A. Someone too lazy to steal!
Q. What do you get when you cross a Hispanic Judge and an African American Judge?
A. Self-righteousness?
Rumor has it the emails that started this were about...how to deal with jurors that potentially had swine flu. Makes no freakin' sense, but that's what other judges are saying.
Cortez is a complete ass-clown. No one in the Dallas bar respects him, including the plaintiffs lawyers and politically important dems he toadies to. He is arrogant and dumb, but thinks of himself as a genius (see Einstein postings on his Myspace page). And, he is apparently a whiney pussy, given that he has "called in" the Texas Rangers to investigate some silly office finger wagging incident.
The boy wonder is gone in two years.
64. These guys are lawyers. They probably never took a science class, so probably do not know a black hole from an a-- hole.
64. These guys are lawyers. They probably never took a science class, so probably do not know a black hole from an a-- hole.
Hey PE - I loved you as the tax collector in the movie Popeye!!!
Judge Cortez has won awards for being one of the smartest judges in the State and there is little question that he is the smartest judge in Dallas County. He is what Dallas County wanted in a judge... independent and not subject to political pressure and intimidation. There is no question Judge Moye' lacks judicial temperament and demeanor. The American Bar Association deemed him as lacking in these areas which cost him a federal appointment in the 1990's. Judge Cortez has stood up time and time again to do what's right. We should embrace it, after all it is what we should demand in our judges. Strength, independence and we should be glad we have at least one judge in Dallas County who is willing to stand up against injustice. Let's wait to see what the investigation reveals. I doubt anything will happen to Judge Moye' because he never has been held accountable for his temper or moronic behavior, but the investigation will reveal something... the truth. Either Cortez made the story up that Moye came into his chambers and shoved him or Moye lied to the press and the citizens of Dallas County that there was "no altercation". Let's wait and see.
78 = Judge Cortez. Wow, you could have at least made it read a LITTLE bit less like your Myspace page. Insulting.