Moron of the Day

The semi-regular feature is back.

Today's winner: Judge Beverly Grant.

Judge ‘regrets’ Hawks cheer
Pierce official apologizes for actions during manslaughter sentencing
KAREN HUCKS THE NEWS TRIBUNE

The Pierce County Superior Court judge who led a cheer for the Seattle Seahawks during a manslaughter sentencing Friday has apologized.

“I sincerely and humbly apologize if any of my actions caused any hurt or dismay,” Judge Beverly Grant told The News Tribune on Monday. “When you’ve done something that offended someone, you apologize. It wasn’t my intent to hurt or cause pain to anyone. And the right thing to do is apologize.”

Grant opened Friday’s sentencing hearing for Steve Keo Teang by asking everyone in the courtroom to say, “Go Seahawks” before they sat down. When their response was too restrained, she asked them to do it again. After court, deputy prosecutor Sunni Ko and sheriff’s deputies said they were embarrassed. Grant responded that she was trying to cut the tension in the room and unify people, and their criticism was “trite.”

Newspapers across the country ran stories about the incident over the weekend. Monday, Grant sent out a news release apologizing to Teang’s defense attorney and deputy prosecutor Mary Robnett, who was filling in for Ko at a Monday hearing in the case of the slaying of Tino Patricelli.

“I take full responsibility, particularly as it has impacted the (Tino) Patricelli family, the judiciary system and others,” Grant’s statement says. “I have consistently tried to treat everyone in my court with dignity, fairness and respect. … My sincere regrets to all.”

Oh, and Super Bowl Sunday was the anniversary of the killing.

h/t the blogfather