Broward County Circuit Court Judge Merrilee Ehrlich yelled, berated and scoulded seriously ill wheelchair-bound woman in court last week. The woman died three days later.
According to the Miami Herald:
“Sandra Faye Twiggs had never been in trouble before when the Lauderhill Police Department charged her on April 13 with scratching her daughter during a domestic dispute that began with a disagreement over a fan.
“Twiggs tries to answer the question, which requires more than a “yes” or “no” because the 19-year-old doesn’t live with Twiggs full-time. Mid-sentence, Ehrlich snaps at her: “Excuse me! Don’t say anything beyond what I am asking you!” Clearly exasperated, Ehrlich asks Twiggs’ lawyer, who is in a different location during the video hookup, to make Twiggs stop talking.
“As Twiggs coughs and holds her head, Ehrlich speaks to deputies, who are off-screen: “Can someone there give her water as a kindness?” But the judge’s anger continues to boil over. Twiggs tries to tell the judge that she needs medical treatment for her pulmonary problems.
“The judge erupts: “Ma’am, I am not here to talk to you about your breathing treatments!””
The woman had difficulty getting her medications while in jail for two days. Three days after the court hearing she died.
The DailyMail says Twiggs wasn’t the only one verbally attacked by Ehrlich that day, either.
“‘She raised her voice to many defendants, berated the attorneys and was impatient and exasperated during the proceedings,’ FInkelstein wrote in a letter to Chief Judge Jack Tuter, dated April 20.
“‘Judge Ehrlich’s bullying continued into the next hearing, another misdemeanor allegation. The Judge was informed that Nefreteri Tamalo had no income and was a stay-at-home mother to her nine month old child,’ he wrote.
“‘In making a bond determination, Judge Ehrlich stated that the father of Ms. Tamalo’s infant was at home to care for the child. When a panicked and crying Ms. Tamalo tried to correct this mistake, the Judge angrily silenced her. As with the previous hearing, Judge Ehrlich would not listen to the defendant. Concerned about her child, Ms. Tamalo again tried to speak and the Judge yelled, “Ma’am, be quiet or be removed. Be quiet.”‘
“He described Ehrlich’s behavior as ‘aggressive and tyrannical.'”
Florida’s Sun-Sentinel:
“Broward Chief Administrative Judge Jack Tuter said Saturday that he is telling Circuit Court Judge Merrilee Ehrlich not to return to the courthouse because of how she treated Sandra Twiggs.”
“Tuter said he would contact Twiggs’ family to apologize.
“I am saddened and disappointed in the way Judge Ehrlich behaved on the video. Her behavior cannot be condoned.””
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