Story Archive

Jurisimprudence

Judge Russell Healey is the chief felony judge of Duval, Nassau, and Clay counties in Florida. He was appointed to the position after presiding over the two murder trials of Michael Dunn, which gained national attention. During those trials, the appellate courts had overturned Healey’s decision to limit access to the media. Since becoming a felony judge, his decisions continue to be overturned. In one case, the 1st District Court of Appeals overturned a 30 year prison sentence because Healey had lectured the defendant that a “good Catholic fellow” shouldn’t commit adultery. He also declared a woman a “danger to society” after she had shoplifted $17.19 worth of food; the appellate court ruled that should have been decided by a jury. Most recently, Healey placed Alfred Scott on probation for a first time marijuana offense, because Scott had a job lined up at Home Depot. But when the job offer was rescinded, Scott instead got a full time job at Michael’s and a part time job at McDonald’s. Healey ruled Scott had “willfully violated” his parole terms and jailed him. The appellate court overturned that decision too. Healey was re elected in 2016 for another six year term after running unopposed. (MS/Florida Times Union) ...“Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” —John Stuart Mill.