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Pot-smoking judge hopes for forgiveness
By Associated Press
TRAVERSE CITY -- A judge who acknowledged smoking marijuana at a Rolling Stones concert has spent much of the last week thinking about what he calls the stupidest thing he's ever done.
District Judge Thomas Gilbert has been on voluntary leave since Nov. 6, two days after admitting that he smoked marijuana at the Oct. 12 concert in Detroit.
Gilbert's actions have generated headlines -- and even a quip from TV talk show host Jay Leno.
"That's a punishment that an average person might not have to endure," Gilbert told the Traverse City Record-Eagle for a Sunday story. "I understand that you can't be a judge and break the law.
"I understand that 100 percent. I just hope and pray that at some point this community will come to forgiveness and realize that beyond that I'm a good judge."
Gilbert said last week he had not had a drink in two and a half weeks and he was preparing to travel to Minnesota to attend a 28-day alcohol abuse program.
Much of the last week was consumed by meetings with family and friends, delivering apologies to supporters and preparing for his eventual return to the bench.
An unidentified Elk Rapids woman saw Gilbert, 45, smoke a marijuana cigarette as it was passed along a row of people at the concert. Gilbert later issued a statement in which he apologized for "this error in judgment."
"If I hadn't been drinking alcohol that night I wouldn't have done the most stupid thing I've done in my life, which was taking a couple of hits off a marijuana cigarette," Gilbert said. "Not only should I have known better, I did know better."
Gilbert will be on leave from the bench at least until Dec. 16. He is two years into a four-year term as a judge in the 86th District, which encompasses Grand Traverse, Antrim and Leelanau counties.
About 30 cards and letters from supporters sit in a bowl that is a centerpiece on his dining room table.
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| jb |
Maybe he can get Keith to do another concert for the blind. |
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| riffhard64 |
LOL JB....i love that story..Keith's blind angel good stuff....can we just legalize pot already!... |
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| SirMuddy |
The worst for you is that they gonna legalize it here in Canada before!
I won't complain...  |
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| themadwiggler |
The judge was such a schmooze.
If he wasn't so chicken s*&tted, he might actually do some good.
Smokins, no jokins, its just smokin. |
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