Stroll of disgrace a continuing exterior Massachusetts courts

Is Excessive Sheriff Steve Tompkins prepared for his close-up right this moment?

It’s as soon as once more time for that historic custom amongst native politicians and cops – the perp stroll down Northern Avenue, earlier than or after the thieving perp makes his look in federal courtroom on no matter corruption fees they have been lugged on.

In Massachusetts, the perp stroll solely happens exterior the federal courthouse, as a result of one other custom within the Commonwealth is that the native prosecutors won’t ever, ever, below any circumstances arrest any Democrat politicians, which is the one sort we now have right here.

It’s simply skilled courtesy. Am I proper, Legal professional Normal Andrea Pleasure Campbell?

Tompkins should current himself by 10 a.m. Friday to pre-trial companies. We’ll be prepared, identical to the digicam crews arrive early for the annual pre-Oscar pink carpet reveals, or within the outdated days, for celeb arrivals when new Broadway reveals opened in New York.

Earlier than Tompkins’ debut, allow us to think about the completely different types that the perps make use of for his or her conventional launchings within the criminal-justice system.

Sheriff Tompkins might embrace the pomp and circumstance of his workplace, and put on the highest hat that he used to put on to the Harvard graduation yearly. Most likely makes him unhappy now, although, to understand that he’ll by no means be carrying it once more.

I’d additionally recommend Tompkins not put on the normal badge. James DiPaola, the Excessive Sheriff of Middlesex, who additionally acquired to don that high hat each spring, liked his badge, typically wore it with the highest hat. In 2010 DiPaola drove to Maine and shot himself within the head.

Corruption – it’s an occupational hazard of Massachusetts sheriffs.

Please, Sheriff, don’t attempt to cowl your head. By no means, ever works. Have a look at BPD Officer Ronald Nelson, busted for OT fraud in 2020. Prices towards him have been ultimately dismissed, however solely after he died.

Perhaps it is best to put on some gear from an area professional crew – like BPD Officer Gerard O’Brien did, not that it did him any good. He was convicted anyway, whereas Officer Henry Doherty, behind him, in nondescript garments, beat the rap on OT fraud.

After Chappaquiddick, Sen. Ted Kennedy confirmed up at state courtroom (again in these long-ago days when even Democrat politicians may very well be arrested in Massachusetts) carrying a neck brace. He was extensively mocked.

In 2016, BPD Officer Brian Smigielski went with a distinct look when he was lugged for obstructing an FBI gang investigation. Undecided if that’s a bulletproof vest or a corset, however no matter it was, it labored – Smigs acquired probation after pleading responsible.

Personally, I consider that in case your lawyer is carrying a tie, you ought to be too. Clearly, Rep. Chris “Flim Flam” Flanagan, D-Dennis Port, didn’t take my sage sartorial counsel final yr when he did The Stroll. It additionally didn’t assist that his Ok-Mart shirt was two sizes too small.

The slob look simply doesn’t work. Have a look at thieving ex-trooper felon Gary Cederquist – made $331,000 his final yr on the job, and he nonetheless appears like a refugee from Mass & Cass. Ditto his co-conspirator Joel Rogers. Did they sleep in these hobo outfits?

One other tip: don’t mug for the digicam. Keep in mind Dana Pullman, the crooked boss of SPAM, the state troopers’ union? Presently awaiting resentencing, his kiss within the mail suspended, and we wouldn’t be operating this photograph once more if it wasn’t so… memorable.

Don’t even crack a smile. That’s what “Trustworthy” John McGonigle, the excessive sheriff of Middlesex, such as you an appointee of a failed Democrat governor, did after he was lugged for a number of felonies together with shakedowns, kickbacks, and revenue tax evasion.

Simply one other Massachusetts excessive sheriff with a high hat….

There may be a method a sheriff can do a perp stroll exterior the federal courthouse in a non-shameful means. That is Brad Bailey, yet one more former excessive sheriff of Middlesex. However he was a Republican, so he wasn’t re-elected, and he needed to lose the highest hat and develop into a lawyer once more. Right here he’s leaving the courthouse along with his shopper, yet one more crooked state cop, Daren DeJong.

DeJong embezzled $14,062 in federal funds, and acquired six months “residence detention.”

Sheriff Tompkins, you ought to be so fortunate!

However now, the curtain’s going up. As we are saying in present biz, Sheriff, “Break a leg!”