THE ROBING ROOM

I'd briefly like to respond to all the members of the public posting denunciations against Judge Ellis. He should be praised for standing up to the government since it was the government that initially agreed that Madoff should remain free on bond. We have a constitutional right to bond in this country, absent risk of flight or danger. Judge Ellis very correctly made the calculation that Madoff would neither flee nor endanger others. Rest assured all you armchair court watchers, Bernard Madoff will spend the rest of his life behind bars. That's what will happen in this case. Guaranteed, no exceptions. Unless he tells the government where Jimmy Hoffa is buried, he'll never see the light of day again come sentencing. Just give the system a chance to work. You'll see. So, please, give this judge a little break for bravely following the law and applying it to the facts of the case. We do not want judges beholden to public opinion (mob justice). We also don't want judges too beholden to the government or to the defense. Judge Ellis does what judges do, and that is to engage in balancing and making the tough call, rewarding some and disappointing others. If you think he didn't agonize over this decision, think again. Hooray for Judge Ellis, brave defender of our Constitution and of reasoned legal analysis.