*UPDATE* – SS: Prosecutor’s errant text message triggers mistrial in South Florida murder case (8/17/22)
Corey Gordon’s trial on murder allegations abruptly ended in a mistrial yesterday afternoon, going into its second week. Prosecutor Katya Palmiotto (formerly Pisman) sent the group text pictured below during the trial to a bunch of current and former colleagues, including former judge Gina Hawkins,* and, unfortunately, the presiding judge, Pete Holden.
We’re told Palmiotto failed to bring her error to the attention of Holden or defense attorney Mike Gottlieb, and upon finding the ex parte blurb on his phone in his office during a court recess some time later, the judge was none too pleased. Straight shooter Holden immediately brought the matter to Gottlieb’s attention, asked the defense if they wanted a mistrial, and once affirmed, declared one based upon manifest necessity.
Gottlieb today had no comment, stating he would be following up with additional filings in the days to come …
Speaking of Gina Hawkins – CONDITIONAL GUILTY PLEA FOR CONSENT JUDGMENT (Bar v. Hawkins):
“Ninety-day suspension from the practice of law with
automatic reinstatement … “
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