Judge fired after falling asleep in court
MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian judge has been fired after he caught 40 winks in court and then sentenced an outraged defendant to five years in prison.
Judge Yevgeny Makhno of Blagoveshchensk City Court in Russia's Far East was forced to resign Friday for obviously falling asleep several times while trying a businessman on charges of fraud.
The case became a national scandal after the defendant's lawyer posted several videos online of Makhno asleep in court. The videos were then shown on state television.
Makhno claimed that he was not sleeping, but listening with his eyes closed, the reports said.
But since a higher court decided not to punish him, Makhno only has to take an exam to be reinstated.
The defendant, however, will be given a new trial.
Judge Yevgeny Makhno of Blagoveshchensk City Court in Russia's Far East was forced to resign Friday for obviously falling asleep several times while trying a businessman on charges of fraud.
The case became a national scandal after the defendant's lawyer posted several videos online of Makhno asleep in court. The videos were then shown on state television.
Makhno claimed that he was not sleeping, but listening with his eyes closed, the reports said.
But since a higher court decided not to punish him, Makhno only has to take an exam to be reinstated.
The defendant, however, will be given a new trial.
If I was in Russia trying to administer "justice" I'd fall asleep too.
Nice to see that there will be a new trial. nice to see that there is justice unlike here in the U.S. Just curious what would occur if a judge were to fall asleep?
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What is up with all the sirens? did we have an accident on I-5? man I never heard so many sirens in this tiny community? I hope its not a fire nor a major wreck..Maybe KATU can get some in site.
@lee986321 Justice in Russia right  /rollseyes
OMG..from the sounds of it they emptied the entire station.
@lee986321Â Krispy Kreme robbery
Too much Dostoevsky
OK, people. He wrote "Crime and Punishment"
note to self:
Don't mention Russian Literature in the Offbeat section.
@WendyTeagarden Thanks, I can't read Russian. ;0
 @WendyTeagarden Wait, I just checked out The Cherry Orchard from the library.
 @WendyTeagarden Oh, THAT Dostoevsky. I thought you meant the other guy.
You got to love the Russian courts.
Well, at least he wasn't masturbating under his robe during a murder trial!
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http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-08-18-judge-sentenced_x.htm
@swimbad yeah, what a stroke of luck
 @swimbad The prospect of a hung jury made him feel insecure?
@str1ngb3nd3r very good one
 @swimbad If you're choking the chicken during a murder trial, does that then mean it's a double murder trial?
"Makhno claimed that he was not sleeping, but listening with his eyes closed"
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Yeah, my ex didn't buy that one either.
I listen with my eyes closed all the time, in fact I'm doing right n...............zzzzzzzzz
 @old_dollor Here's how a pro does it.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB1eXlvfo-s
I'm with the judge on this one. I often listen to my wife with my eyes closed, especially when she's telling me about some crafty-thing or the other she's making.
@RatchetRanger ....or asking you to help with the dishes.......