Federal judges throughout the land should learn an important lesson from their highly respected senior colleague, theHonorable Milton Shadur. This judge is not afraid to say the Federal Government is not always correct. Let the U.S. case against former Chicago Alderman Edward Vrdolyak serve as a shining example of Judge Shadur’s message to the United States Attorney’s Office. The judge is the boss in the courtroom, period! Any U.S. Attorney that does not like this message should immediately resign his post.
Unlike most federal judges, Judge Shadur refused to validate the government’s overzealous attempt to destroy Vrdolyak even after the former Alderman reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. When the federal prosecutor recommended a 41 month sentence to punish Vrdolyak for not cooperating with other investigations, Judge Shadur refused to be party to the government’s brutal tactics, refusing to send the defendant to prison for one second. He stood his ground and called out the government on their despicable actions, accusing them of greed. If only my dear friend Conrad Black could have been in front of a judge that knows how to run a courtroom (as a senior judge should) like Shadur, Conrad would probably be home by now.
I hope that Judge Shadur’s message goes beyond the legal community and travels to everyone in America. Perspective jurors must understand that the Feds are not always right, and it is foolish to assume that they are. By Judge Shadur making it clear that prosecutors are sometimes “greedy” in their pursuit of victory, all perspective jurors must keep this valuable information in mind while considering the fate of another human being.
I agree with Mr. Vrdolyak when he says, “God is great!” And so is Judge Shadur!
4 Comments
Vrdolyak should have received a life sentence. This judge was a fucking moron.
Dear Bubba,
Judge Shadur is a great judge. As for Vrdolyak, he was not convicted of forcible felony. Therefore, the thought of a life sentence is more despicable than the crime in which Vrdolyak was convicted.
Joe, so much for Shadur’s decision.
Dear Rick,
As soon as I heard that Vrdolyak was sentenced to probation, my immediate thought was, “the government is going to appeal the sentence.” I am sure thousands of other people thought the same thing. I do not agree that Shadur erred in his judgment. I am slightly surprised the 7th Circuit assigned the case to a new judge. I will hold off on making any predictions until I learn what judge gets the case. As for Shadur, I still admire his decision.