Ohio Judge Returns Fire After He Is Ambushed on Way to Court

[MechAg94]

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/21/us/ohio-judge-gun-ambush.html?_r=0

A judge in Ohio who was shot and injured in an ambush-style attack outside a courthouse early on Monday managed to return fire with his own handgun before the suspect was shot dead by a probation officer nearby, officials said.

I hope our resident judge is keeping his head on a swivel. 

On the other side, I guess this guy learned his lesson the hard way.  There is a high probability of law enforcement officers in the area around a court house. 

[Hawkmoon]

However, as usual, the usual suspects are lining up to whine about the danger judges and court employees are in, possibly setting the stage for seeking special protection for judges, but nobody is looking at the 2nd Amendment and talking about letting everyone provide their own self-defense.

The narrative seems to be shifting. Initial report was that the judge fought back, with mention that the probation officer then showed up and assisted. The emphasis now seems to be shifting to make it appear that the probation officer (who is, of course, a POLICE OFFICER) was responsible for saving the judge's life. After all, the media can't allow the impression that carrying your own gun might save your life.

Disgusting. I wonder if we'll ever know the truth.

[Northwoods]

Wasn't that a running theme in Justified?

[T.O.M.]

It's an odd situation.  The shooter...well, the bad guy...is the father of a young man convicted in the infamous Steubenville rape case.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steubenville_High_School_rape_case

This judge was not the judge in that case.  Due to it being a small town, and who knew who, this judge recused himself from the rape case, and they brought in a judge from Cincinnati.  However, there's now a civil case pending initiated by the shooter, and this judge was presiding on that case.  It was clearly a targeted attack.  In that town, the judges have reserved parking, and there's a secured back door in an alley that judges and court personnel can enter through.

As for me, I've learned to live with my head on a swivel, because not a day goes by when I don't piss off someone in this job.  Many of those people have serious drug and mental health issues.  I do a fair bit to keep myself and my family safe.  And Hawk, I don't know what you're reading as far as the shifting narrative goes.  What I've read, the judge and a probation officer both fired at the guy.  Yes, a probation officer is a law enforcement officer, but I don't see how that impacts anything.  There was some unclarity at the start as to whether it was a probation officer or a bailiff.  That may have more to do with the fact that many of the smaller counties have personnel who serve as both bailiff and probation officer due to budget issues and lack of personnel.  We have two probation officers who are also bailiffs, and fill in during vacations, sick days, etc.   

http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/21/us/ohio-judge-shooting/index.html

In my court, judicial officers can carry with a permit, just as any other citizen can.  The only special privilege is that we can bring our firearms into the courthouse, but that is a part of state law, no special rules we created.  I don't get special treatment in any other way.  CCW permit required.  Had to do the same class and application process.  I don't get an escort to my parking spot, which is two blocks away in a public parking garage.  I'll admit that there are some judges that don't have permits, but issue court orders authorizing them to carry a weapon.  There's a debate as to the legality of those orders.

[MillCreek]

I'll admit that there are some judges that don't have permits, but issue court orders authorizing them to carry a weapon.  There's a debate as to the legality of those orders.

Do they issue the orders to themselves, or does another judge issue the order on their behalf? 

[Pb]

I had not read much about the "Steubenville rape case" before.  A sentence of one and two years for the rapists.  Our "justice system" is such a joke, esp given the crimes were videotaped!

[RevDisk]

I had not read much about the "Steubenville rape case" before.  A sentence of one and two years for the rapists.  Our "justice system" is such a joke, esp given the crimes were videotaped!

It's not exactly surprising. I can't count the number of crimes committed by young men who play a popular sport where folks went out of their way to actively cover up said crimes or give light slaps on the wrist. I'm quite sure that non-athlete rapists and child porn producers are given substantially more than legal minimal one year sentences.

I remember the other case were the townfolk successfully drove out the victim and her family, then burned their home to the ground. Penn State scandal made the biggest news, but like ice bergs, for every one you see, couple dozen do successfully get covered up.

The flip side is... Will of the people. Most people, apparently, WANT lesser or no justice applied to 'special people'. It varies, of course, it is pretty universal.

[T.O.M.]

Do they issue the orders to themselves, or does another judge issue the order on their behalf? 

It's been a mix.  There were a couple up in the Cleveland area that issued orders declaring each other to be law enforcement officers so they could carry nationwide.  Never mind that the law specifically says judges are not LEOs. 

[TechMan]

It's been a mix.  There were a couple up in the Cleveland area that issued orders declaring each other to be law enforcement officers so they could carry nationwide.  Never mind that the law specifically says judges are not LEOs. 

Highlighting the important word in that post.

[Angel Eyes]

Wasn't that a running theme in Justified?

Judge Joseph J. Bruzzese Jr., now known as "The Hammer."

Somebody ask him if he wears Speedos under his robe.

[Hawkmoon]

Life imitates art:

Hardcastle and McCormick. Judge Hardcastle always wore a 1911 under his robes.