Judge Thorne back on the bench

Court makes plans to delay cases during coronavirus pandemic

The jailhouse was full, with more than 20 inmates on the docket for Judge Fred Thorne in District Court last Monday, including one juvenile defendant.

■ ■ ‘Leap Year Special’ The first six cases on the docket all had the honor of getting their felony charges reduced to misdemeanors by the prosecutor, prompting Judge Thorne to say they must have lucked out and received the rare “Leap Year Special.”

■ ■ ‘What’s in a Name?’ The first man up in court was asked to explain why he gave the police a fake name. He told the judge that he changed his name after being in jail for five hours and joining Muslim religion.

He was charged with panhandling at McDonald’s and Wal-Mart, where he collected more than $200, almost enough to cover his fines and court costs.

Another man was charged with criminal impersonation.

“Why would you give the police your cousin’s name?” asked the judge.

“Because I knew the parole officer was probably looking for me,” the man explained.

“So, you’d rather get your cousin in trouble?” Judge Thorne inquired.

“I was just trying to avoid jail,” the man admitted. He was charged with illegal burning of copper wire.

“Why were you burning that?” asked the judge. The man said he was an electrician by trade, drawing laughter from the judge and the audience.

Judge Thorne was not amused enough to let the charged slide, however, and handed the man a five-day jail sentence, along with a fine and court costs.

■ ■ ‘Welcome to West Memphis’ One lady in the court was cited for failure to appear in court.

She kept asking the judge, “Am I in West Memphis?”

Judge Thorne repeatedly assured her that she was.

“But I was in Minnesota when I didn’t appear,” she insisted.

■ ■ ‘Al Capone’ Another woman before the judge pleaded not guilty to driving on a suspended license and no insurance.

“I knew you would plead not guilty,” said the judge. “You have a driving record that would make Al Capone proud.”

The audience was amused, but Judge Thorne scheduled a trial date for the woman.

■ ■ Too Close for Comfort’ A man charged with public intoxication entered a guilty plea, which appeared to surprise Judge Thorne.

“Oh, I meant to plead not g u i l t y,” the man said, realizing his mistake.

“You’ve been pleading ‘not guilty’ to public intoxication for the past 30 years,” said Judge Thorne.

The man only laughed as he exited the courtroom.

In other District Court News: Judge Thorne held a meeting last Wednesday to discuss the court’s plan to reschedule court cases due to the threat of COVID-19 to the public. Cases scheduled for the remainder of March and into April have all been rescheduled according to the following plan:

West Memphis Division (afternoon cases, at 1:30 p.m.)

■ ■ Originally scheduled for March 27 (moved to June 12)

■ ■ Originally scheduled for March 30 (moved to June 19)

■ ■ Originally scheduled for April 3 (moved to June 26)

■ ■ Originally scheduled for April 6 (moved to July 10)

■ ■ Originally scheduled for April 13 (moved to July 17)

■ ■ Originally scheduled for April 17 (moved to July 24)

■ ■ Originally scheduled for April 20 (moved to July 31)

■ ■ Originally scheduled for April 24 (moved to Aug. 7)

■ ■ Originally scheduled for April 27 (moved to Aug. 14)

■ ■ Originally scheduled for May 1 (moved to Aug. 21) Marion Division

■ ■ Originally scheduled for March 26 (moved to June 4)

■ ■ Originally scheduled for April 2 (moved to June 18)

■ ■ Originally scheduled for April 9 (moved to July 2) Earle Division

■ ■ Originally scheduled for March 24 (moved to June 9)

■ ■ Originally scheduled for April 14 (moved to April 28)

West Memphis Civil and Small Claims Court

■ ■ Originally scheduled for March 23 (moved to April 29 at 10 a.m.)

■ ■ Originally scheduled for April 8 (moved to May 13 at 10 a.m.)

■ ■ Originally scheduled for April 22 (moved to May 27 at 10 a.m.) In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the Arkansas Supreme Court Per Curiam dated March 17, 2020, the Crittenden County District Courts are implementing changes to the court schedules, with the exception of certain crimes. The divisions of Gilmore, Jericho and Turrell will remain the same at this time.

For any questions, please contact the court offices at the following numbers during regular business hours: West Memphis – (870) 732-7560, Marion – (870) 739-5411, Earle – (870) 792-8909.

Coretta Allen

District Court Report

THORNE

”You’ve been pleading ‘not guilty’ to public intoxication for the past 30 years.”

– JUDGE FRED THORNE, TO A MAN IN DISTRICT COURT CHARGED WITH, YOU GUESSED IT, PUBLIC INTOXICATION