Ex-Judge Herman 'Who Needs a Spanking?' Thomas Now on Trial

For long-time readers of Above The Law, Herman Thomas is a familiar name. He’s the former Alabama state court judge who allegedly enjoyed spanking male prisoners, traded favorable treatment for sexual favors, and improperly interfered on behalf of a cousin in legal trouble.
He gave up the paddle gavel two years ago. Now he’s headed to trial.
From the Associated Press:

Chief Assistant District Attorney Nicki Patterson said authorities began looking at Thomas after he changed a jail sentence in 2006 for his cousin, former Mobile County school commissioner David Thomas, even though the case was being handled by another judge. Other cases that Thomas had taken over from other judges without their approval soon surfaced, she said.

And what happened to the prisoners in the cases commandeered by Thomas?

Some inmates in those cases described being checked out of the jail for meetings with Thomas in his car or in his private office in the county courthouse. First, there were reports of inmates having to pull down their underwear for spankings with a wooden paddle. Then came allegations of oral and anal sex, according to court records.

Prosecutors have over 15 current and former inmates lined up to testify. The jurors on the case are expected to suffer through several weeks of anal rape testimony. Charming.
If convicted of the most serious charges, sodomy and kidnapping, Thomas faces from 20 years to life in prison. But given his love of spankings and sodomy, perhaps that’s not such a bad thing for him.
Ex-Ala. judge accused of trading sex for leniency [Associated Press]

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