With just a  few exceptions, court cases are open to the public. You have to keep your pie hole shut but it's interesting to see justice in action. Tuesday morning, that was the case during the Ricky Bishop time before Judge Jack Alsop.
  With few in the peanut gallery, Alsop was ready to go at 9am sharp. Before Bishop's time, the Robe had a couple other duties to attend to. One  week earlier two jurors were absent from duty for the Rodney Mark Workman trial. Judges don't like that. After that earlier trial, Alsop made certain the two no shows would come in and explain their in actions.
  First up was a Amanda Harrison. Her reason for not showing up for jury duty, " I forgot to call in." She was referring to the 24 hour jury call in phone which lets them know when to show up for duty.
  Alsop, "That's not a very good reason." With Harrison standing at full attention and now understanding, she could be in serious stuff, Judge Jack Alsop eyeballed her with: I'm not holding you in contempt but if it ever happens again, I WILL hold you in contempt.... You may go.
  We were waiting for Harrison to do something stupid, some off the cuff remark, something to pee off the Robe and get her in reaaal crap. She didn't.
  Juror Angela Carter was next before the Court. Neatly dressed, in tune for the Court setting, Carter disarmed Alsop with her first words, " It is completely my fault." Damn, there goes the fireworks. Honesty is always the best answer. The Judge went thru the spiel on not doing it again and if it happens, the charge of contempt of court would be coming her way.
  For those that don't know, contempt of court can be serious stuff. Jail time can come to the offender.
  A word for the wise, when called to a Court, you better be there on time, or a few minutes early.
   OK, we're ready for the main event at about 9:10am.
  The Judge was seated as well as the Prosecutor and Defense Attorney,  Andrew Chattin.  The clock was ticking and Ricky Bishop was a no show.
  After a quick check of his cell phone, Mr Chattin explained to Jack Alsop, he had just received a text message indicating, Bishop would be  a few minutes late. You could see the frowny lines grow on Alsop's forehead. He nor any other Judge that we've seen, is willing to waste time and sit on their thumbs.
  In a not so common show of patience, Judge Alsop told Chattin, he would be around for about one hour and Bishop better be there or he's in the grease big time.
  For those that don't know, Ricky Bishop is no stranger to the Court system. His transgressions are mostly centered around too much drinking and then getting behind a wheel of a vehicle. In this state, you're allowed a couple screw ups without much punishment. That all changes when you get caught for the third time. That third time charge plus some other moving violations is what's facing Mr Bishop this morning. This hearing was to take a plea from the lad.
  Wait Wait Wait.... Around 20 minutes late, the balding, Ricky Bishop walks into the Court room dressed in jeans. He didn't stagger or anything like that.
  Defenser Chattin informed the Court, a new plea deal had been worked out, something newer than an earlier one that had been reduced to writing.
  Bishop sat quietly. Not sure what the plea was, but maybe, reduce the third time DUI back to 2nd time or maybe tossing all the lessor charges. We don't know.
  Jack Alsop has been around the block a time or three. He goes by the rules and at times, offers up a dose of compassion to those that have been straight with him.   As we just told ya, from the peanut gallery, Bishop walked in just fine and wasn't  a blathering fool.
  Before anything else, the Judge ordered Black Shirt Ryan Thomas to take Bishop aside and do a breathalyzer test. When Bishop left the room, so did Bailiff Gary King, Ryan Thomas, and Sheriff Donnie Triplett. They were taking no chances with a guy that might run.
  The test took just a few minutes. Results came back with a .083 alcohol reading. In this state, that's high enough to call you under the influence.
  With that announcement made, all three of Badges stayed close behind Bishop and were wearing rubber gloves.
   Alsop: You're going to jail. We'll take your plea tomorrow at 3pm.
  Bishop, "Hey Judge, can I talk to ya?"
  Talking to the Judge is NoNo. Saying "Hey Judge"  doesn't help grease the tracks either.
  After getting the OK from his Defense Attorney, Bishop, who knew his arss was heading off to the slammer,  was allowed to speak.
   Bishop, "I am an alcoholic.... I'm being straight with you...I'll give you my word...I won't drunk no more..."
  With King, Thomas and Triplett moving a little closer to Bishop, Judge Alsop, " I know you won't. You're going to jail!"
    With all parties still seated and after about 3 minutes and after doing some paperwork, Alsop ordered the Black Shirts to take custody of him.
   To us, Bishop looked shaken. He was upset.
   We don't know why? He's the one that drank a bunch before Court time and even showed up late. Also, this wasn't his first rodeo.
   In about 12 minutes, the proceeding was over. We didn't show up the next day to hear the plea.
  We did ask for an update from Circuit Clerk Mike Asbury. According Asbury and others that were present, Bishop showed up on the 26th, but had a change of heart. When asked if he was ready to take plea, Ricky Bishop said, No.
  Wait a second readers. There is little doubt, arresting Badges did some kind of blood alcohol test and probably have some kind of statement from the accused. That blood alcohol test is very damning information. Our best guess, any jury on earth would weigh that heavily. Having said that, Bishop wants a jury trail?  Hmmmm..
  In closing, this is a sad case. Truth is, Ricky Bishop needs help in the worst way. That help, treatment, is all but none existent in the prison system.

AW