Story Archive

Not Too Mature

Violinist Martin Stoner entered a Young Concert Artists competition in New York, N.Y., but was rejected: at 60, he’s too old for the contest. Stoner sued the competition organizers for age discrimination, representing himself. The case was assigned to Judge Robert Patterson. Stoner has requested a different judge: age discrimination is important, and, at 88, Judge Patterson is “slow-witted and unable to function,” he says. The judge wears a hearing aid, and still cups his ear and asks attorneys to repeat themselves in court. “Judge Patterson should be removed from the bench, both because of his mental and physical limitations,” Stoner wrote in an official complaint. “I know it sounds kind of like hypocrisy,” Stoner admits. “I asked the judge to recuse himself on the grounds that he’s too old. Isn’t that ironic?” (AC/New York Daily News) ...Some would say ironic, others might say idiotic.