Alabama Judge Loses a Screw

I have not yet had a chance to write the second of the two postings on why the Ten Commandments should not be in the courtroom (Link) but this is a good reason right here

Ala. Judge Wears Ten Commandments on Robe

By BOB JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer (Link to Story)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - A judge refused to delay a trial Tuesday when an attorney objected to his wearing a judicial robe with the Ten Commandments embroidered on the front in gold.

Circuit Judge Ashley McKathan showed up Monday at his Covington County courtroom in southern Alabama wearing the robe. Attorneys who try cases at the courthouse said they had not seen him wearing it before. The commandments were described as being big enough to read by anyone near the judge.

Attorney Riley Powell, defending a client charged with DUI, filed a motion objecting to the robe and asking that the case be continued. He said McKathan denied both motions.

"I feel this creates a distraction that affects my client," Powell said.

McKathan told The Associated Press that he believes the Ten Commandments represent the truth "and you can't divorce the law from the truth. ... The Ten Commandments can help a judge know the difference between right and wrong."

No, No, No!!! the law helps you determine the law, not the Ten Commandments. The Judge has taken an oath to uphold the federal and state constitution as well as to interpret, to the best of his ability, the laws that the Alabama legislature has passed. There is nothing in the Ten Commandments that is applicable in the courtroom that is not already laid out in the state and federal laws. This Judge should be relieved of his position for not upholding the Constitution of the United States.