IIRC, when prepping for the OJ trial, Lance Ito was being touted in People (?) etc, as another Learned Hand, brilliant, etc…PLUS, A REGULAR GUy!!!
What’s his rep now?
thanks,
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I agree; I remember Ito being widely praised before the OJ trial began as a particularly good judge, well-respected by his peers and by the LA bar. Not even sure if he’s still on the bench, though - the OJ trial left his reputation in a shambles, at least in the short term.
The OP inspired me to Google Ito’s name. Apparently he’s still on the L.A. County bench, but I came up this interesting tidbit that I wasn’t aware of before.
http://www.bookmice.net/darkchilde/candl/judge.html
He seems like a regular guy when I see him at the grocery store. (Ooh, brush with greatness…) He and his wife seemed very intent on checking out which bottles of soda had the lowest price.
I don’t know Judge Ito could be compared with Learned Hand. He’s a trial court judge. He doesn’t issue opinions. I don’t think anyone has ever decided to run against him so he hasn’t appeared on the ballot out here.
Despite what Hollywood leads you to believe, there aren’t all that many big criminal trials going on in L.A. County at any one time.
[insert Witty Lay&Order-style remark]
So, coffee later?
Judge Ito’s wife (Kathleen York) is about six or seven inches taller than him.