Man issues apology for cursing judge’s secretary

A man who used vulgar language about the judge’s secretary was made to apologize in open court Tuesday and warned never to call the judge’s office again.

‘Are you enough of a man to do that’? Judge Larry Ross asked defendant Christopher Smith in suggesting he apologize to his secretary as the suspect stood before him Tuesday on theft charges. ‘You know, that’s about as low as a man can get and turning around and lying to me about it.’

The insult to the judge’s secretary happened during a call from Smith to the office regarding his court date. At some point during the conversation, Smith referred to the judge’s secretary in a derogatory manner. The judge was then informed of the incident and he contacted Smith, who allegedly denied his actions.

However, during court Tuesday, Smith had no chance to deny his words.

‘You’re the one who called my secretary a b***h,’ Ross said in sternly asking Smith to apologize.

Smith did make a short public apology simply saying ‘I apologize’ as he stood before the judge, propped up on crutches Tuesday afternoon before a court gallery of about 20 people.

As for the case which brought him before the court in the first place, the charge of petty theft, Smith chose to decline a plea offer and have his case bound before the grand jury.

‘I want you to keep in mind what kind of man you’re dealing with,’ Ross suggested to prosecutors in their pursuit of the case when it goes before the grand jury.

Ross went on to warn Smith to never call his office again for any reason and that so much as one call would land him in jail for violating the court order.