The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ president, Ernest L. Chung, wrote in his letter that “Judge Scherer’s comments and actions during the proceedings were offensive and detrimental to the integrity of the judiciary and the judicial system.” Chung also asked that Chief Judge “take all appropriate steps to ensure she is not in a position to prejudice any other criminal case.”
In regards to Judge Sherer’s conduct on Friday, Chung wrote, “The image of a judge relegating an elected public defender and his top assistant to go sit in the corner like misbehaving children is offensive and discounts their very vital and difficult role in this system.” This is in reference to Judge Sherer commanding defense attorney Gordan Weekes to “go sit down” when he was speaking to the victims’ families. Weekes and the other defense attorneys maintain that they were in fact being respectful to the families, and the command from the Judge was out of line.
Currently, there are no formal complaints filed in Florida with the Judicial Qualification Commission.
