Judge blasts University of Florida lawyer in row over evidence; promises order in 10 days

[Zorro]

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

'Are you saying you are just incompetent?' Judge Mark Walker asked

A federal judge in Tallahassee Friday blasted a lawyer for the University of Florida for bringing up "new" information in a closely watched lawsuit over free speech and academic freedom.

It was the second hearing in two weeks on the lawsuit, originally filed by three UF political science professors denied permission by the school to give expert testimony against the state’s year-old elections law because it put UF at odds with Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature, who decide on the public university's budget each year.

Christopher Bartolomucci, a Washington, D.C. lawyer for UF, said he and his team discovered just two days ago that the professors had actually prepared their testimony before requesting permission to testify.

“We now know they were actively working before they submitted their request,” Bartolomucci said in the online proceeding. “These facts are found nowhere in complaints. They have misled counsel, the employer and this court. … They have unclean hands, and shouldn’t enjoy relief.”

Read more: https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/state/2022/01/14/federal-judge-promises-ruling-10-days-uf-academic-freedom-case/6524623001/

[Zorro]

1. More

He asked Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker to reopen discovery — the fact-finding phase that happens before a trial — so they could introduce new evidence.

Instead, Walker grilled and lectured him for several minutes, cutting himself short after saying the lawyer’s behavior had raised some serious ethical issues.

“It strains credulity when you say these are newly discovered facts when they are all part of the public record,” Walker said. “These are the very reports and experts we knew about, but we just learned in the last two days the Earth is not round and there’s gambling in Casablanca and these professors had their reports before they submitted requests for approval.”

[Alexander Of Assyria]

5. More...systemic suppression of free speech of experts who might contradict the King.

“Two law professors later joined the suit after they were told they needed permission to file friend-of-the-court briefs in a case challenging another state law requiring felons to pay all their court fees and fines before they could have their voting rights restored. They were also told they couldn't identify themselves as UF law faculty.

And a UF medical professor who was denied permission to testify on the governor’s COVID-19 policies banning masks in schools also joined the suit.”

[groundloop]

2. And what the fuck does it matter if they already prepared their statements ?!?!?!?!?!

That in no way shape or form detracts from the fact that DeSatan was muzzling them.

[Alexander Of Assyria]

4. Expert witness always prepare a report or opening statement...it is given to lawyers in advance.

The lawyer is massively incompetent.

[mountain grammy]

6. He' fire them, or worse, if he could..

and he just might. He's a real despot.

[azureblue]

7. it's called clouding the waters

and it's a standard move for Goopers when they know they are losing. The judge is not having it, especially since their contention is such a weak move. I mean, it's one step away form "my dog ate my homework".

[msfiddlestix]

12. This helps a little to clarify what the complaint is about, but still

I'm confused as to what exactly is the problem with preparing a statement to present to the court?

Isn't that SOP?

The op is a little confusing to me as to what exactly is at issue. A Prepared Statement?

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

9. Exactly.

If I were thinking of giving testimony, you know I would have prepared it beforehand.

[reACTIONary]

10. Right! Big Fucking Deal.

[Alexander Of Assyria]

3. Judges can be wonderful orators...example:

“It strains credulity when you say these are newly discovered facts when they are all part of the public record,” Walker said. “These are the very reports and experts we knew about, but we just learned in the last two days the Earth is not round and there’s gambling in Casablanca and these professors had their reports before they submitted requests for approval.”

Edit..See it was posted above but worthy of repetition.

[Old Okie]

8. Lawyer

It seems pretty obvious that you would have to prepare a report or speech before asking for clearance from admin; how else would they make a decision.

[reACTIONary]

11. Exactly. What difference does it make?

[LetMyPeopleVote]

13. US District Judge Mark Walker rules in favor of 3 professors

Link to tweet

Link to tweet