Jimmy Hankinson, the presiding judge, who was put in charge of the case lived in Mike’s neighborhood. Mike played ball with his son, Clay, as a child. It was revealed earlier that the Judge had made some inquiries about Mike’s home address days before the trial. Someone close to the Judge and the State Attorney’s Office inquired about Mike’s trial. It was evident that my son’s case had been discussed by persons outside of the State Attorney’s Office. The Judge seemed to have an intense dislike for us from the very beginning. I don’t know what it is that we did to cause him to seemingly dislike us so much but he did everything possible to make things difficult for us. For example:

• Judge lives in the same neighborhood where the alleged assault occurred
• The apartment complex is located at the entrance of the neighborhood.
• Mike’s family was the 2nd black family to move into the predominately white neighborhood in 1978.
• Inquired about Mike’s address before trial.
• The alleged assault took place less than a quarter of a mile from the Judge’s residence.
• Emphasized time and again that the case was going to trial on 9/9/02 and he was not allowing any continuances.
• Lectured family on not letting the female attorney, Theresa Marvin- Flury continue to handle the case even though she had been on the case for over six months and had taken depositions
• Made her new job at Guardian Ad Litem such as issue that she decided a month before trial that she could not do the case.
• Attorney Marvin-Flury was greatly concerned as to why the Judge did not want her to handle Mike’s case.
• Months later, female attorney is hired in the State Attorney’s Office.
• Judge worked in State Attorney’s Office for many years.
• Judge and prosecutor, Neil Wade, have a long lasting friendship spanning many years.
• Judge Hankinson and prosecutor Neil Wade worked together in most criminal cases..
• New attorney- David Collins is brought on board 8/9/02 and Judge states that the case is going to trial on 9/9/02 no matter who takes the case and no continuances would be granted.
• Made it known several times that “defendant is going to trial whether he has counsel or not”.
• Has a reputation as a “hard-nosed, tough talking” judge.
• Refused to sign Michael’s Motion for Indigent Status even after Mike qualified and he and his attorney spoke directly with him regarding the matter in court.
• Without the Indigent Status, Mike’s family has had to pay enormous legal bills to defend him.
• In reviewing court files, white defendants have no difficulty in getting ‘Indigent Status’ , some whose family incomes exceed $300,000.
• After Atty. D.C. asked to leave the case and have a public defender continue with Mike’s case, Judge refused to let Atty. David Collins off the case stating that he had done a good job in representing Mike.
• Saw Mike as just another young black male that should have his life taken away from him.
• In 2005, Judge was removed from the criminal division and now only handles civil cases.