this post was submitted on 21 Oct 2023
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Highlights: In 2015, upstate New York judge Robert J. Putorti was overseeing a court hearing involving a Black defendant. Nothing out of the ordinary for a judge to do right? Except, when a Black man approached the stand “too quickly,” Judge Putorti pulled a loaded gun on him in court.

Recently, this led to a review from the New York State Court of Appeals, where they discovered that Putorti would often brag about the incident and would recall the race and stature of the defendant when he would tell the story of the incident to others, according to the Associated Press.

Specifically, Putorti described the defendant to another judge as being a “big black man” who is the same height as LeBron James (6’9”). He also described him as being built “like a football player.” But in reality, the defendant was built more like Allen Iverson, coming in at six feet tall and only weighing 165 pounds.

Putorti’s termination was also made easier by the fact that he participated in fundraising events that were illegal for New York State judges to attend. This occurred while he was being investigated for the loaded gun incident.

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[–] SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 148 points 1 year ago (4 children)

And it only took eight years! I wonder how many other lives that racist ruined in the meantime.

[–] PunnyName@lemmy.world 66 points 1 year ago (1 children)

And he probably would have gotten away with it if it weren't for those pesky financial crimes he committed.

[–] Sharkwellington@lemmy.one 29 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I can excuse racism, but I draw the line at financial crimes!

[–] MrBusiness@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] Usul_00_@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] PunnyName@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)
[–] affiliate@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

no way 2015 was 8 years ago. three is the highest i’ll go

[–] Reality_Suit@lemmy.one 2 points 1 year ago

Every time I hear a story like this, I ask the same questions. Butterfly effect: What led up to this?

[–] TheDoozer@lemmy.world 85 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Is pointing a gun at an unarmed person who is offering no threat to you not brandishing? Is that not a crime? Do crimes that happen in a courtroom not count as crimes?

It's not justice that he was fired years later. If he's not charged that is blatant, unmitigated corruption.

[–] GBU_28@lemm.ee 19 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Very few crimes are crimes if you crime them while being a judge

Or being white. A white judge, though, is basically untouchable. He’s on track for the Supreme Court, probably.

[–] lolcatnip@reddthat.com 18 points 1 year ago

Crimes committed by authority figures don't count.

[–] SheeEttin@lemmy.world 18 points 1 year ago (1 children)

In NY, it's called menacing, and it's a crime.

[–] Potatos_are_not_friends@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)
[–] TheDoozer@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago

A jury? And a different judge to preside over the case?

[–] Natanael 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Lots of places require appointed judges to have a law license, so the bar has power

[–] dhork@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I think this guy was an elected town judge, though, and in NY State town and village judges do not have to be lawyers, but if they are not they need training (and to pass a test) before they can hear cases.

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Clearly brandishing. You're not seeing my gun unless I've judged there is no other way to stop you from harming me or someone else. And if it's gone that far? I'm shooting to kill. Full. Fucking. Stop.

Guns are the option of absolute last resort. This kind of bullshit deserves time in a concrete and steel box with gun rights forever revoked.

[–] Nudding@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Lmao, Americans are so scared of every day situations they need guns to feel safe when they go to Walmart

[–] CascadianGiraffe@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Have you been to a Walmart though?

[–] hiddengoat@kbin.social 78 points 1 year ago (4 children)

"THAT GUY WAS NINE FEET TALL!"
"He was 5'5"."
"BUT HE WAS BLACK THAT'S BIGGER IN BLACK FEET!"

Racism is an inferiority complex with a different name.

Dude got fired for another illegal act while they were investigating the loaded fun incident. Jeez. That guy was a winner

"That's bigger in black feet!" Is gonna be a new joke for my friend once I use it on him.

[–] LemmysMum@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Bigotry is self harm. Only thing hurting a bigot is their imagination.

[–] jmsy@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago

Their "knee grows" is the hackneyed joke that fits

[–] ZeroCool@feddit.ch 32 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If this sounds like the behavior of some hick from a single-traffic light town that's because that's exactly what he is. According to the AP article about this case he's from Whitehall which is a town in upstate NY near Glens Falls with 4k residents. Just another reminder to avoid Upstate.

[–] hiddengoat@kbin.social 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

NYC just needs to split off and form their own state. With blackjack. And hook... wait, they already have those...

[–] dhork@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

If Upstate separated itself from NYC, everything north of the Tappan Zee would go bankrupt faster than you can say "Rural Blight"

[–] lolcatnip@reddthat.com 3 points 1 year ago

But they'd get two Senators!

[–] lntl@lemmy.ml 28 points 1 year ago

pointed a loaded gun at someone? fuck this guy

[–] TheTimeKnife@lemmy.world 24 points 1 year ago

Glad this jackass is finally suffering some of the consequences he greatly deserves.

[–] TheRealLinga@sh.itjust.works 13 points 1 year ago

I bet Trump is wishing this guy was his judge. They would get along great!

[–] foggy@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Yo how is this editor gonna throw subtle shade at AI like that?

Talkin bout practice, man. Not a game... Practice.