It was an unexpected encounter in an unlikely setting when a magistrate ended up facing a man from her school days in her courtroom. What seemed to be just another courtroom scene took an unusual turn when the judge identified the accused as her former schoolmate in a case involving burglary allegations. Judge Mindy Glazer found herself looking at a face from her past sitting before her in the defendant’s box in 2015. Years ago, they had both attended Nautilus Middle School in Miami Beach where a young Mindy Glazer was pursuing her aspirations to join a legal career.
Sitting before Judge Glazer was Arthur Booth, a former peer. He was known in their school days for his aptitude in subjects like maths and science and he had dreamed of becoming a famous neurosurgeon. The idea that their paths would cross again under such circumstances had never crossed their young minds all those years back.
In an unlikely turn of events, Judge Glazer inquired from Booth, ‘Did you use to attend Nautilus during middle school?’ The query led to a wave of disbelief on Booth’s part, now a 49-year-old man. The astonished man couldn’t hold back his tears as he muttered, ‘Oh my goodness,’ again and again.
Seeing Booth in these circumstances brought forth an apology from Judge Glazer. She went on to say, ‘I’m sorry to see you here.’ She continued, ‘I have often wondered what transpired in your life.’ The judge however uncovered some disconcerting details about Booth’s past, which rather explained their unexpected reunion in the courtroom.
As Judge Glazer continued to look into Booth’s history, she found it peculiar that she hadn’t run into him earlier, considering his numerous stumbling blocks with the law. She addressed the courtroom with an unexpected observation regarding Booth; an acknowledgement that surprised the attendees. ‘This was the kindest boy during our middle school years. He was an absolute gem in school. I remember playing football with him. Look at where life has brought us,’ she told the court openly.
Having been given a ten-month prison term by Judge Glazer, Booth found himself accompanied by the same judge and his family as he was released. ‘Look after your loved ones. Seek employment. Stay away from trouble,’ she advised Booth. Her words carried hope: ‘You have it in you to make a positive impact on someone’s life.’
Booth reacted to the judge’s guidance with strong affirmation, assuring her, ‘You can count on it. That is a certainty.’ However, it became apparent in the subsequent years that Booth’s assurance did not result in a changed path.
Despite the judge’s advice, it’s unfortunate that Booth has spent a significant portion of his adult life incarcerated. His forays into prison initiated when he was only 17 years old. His family tried to find an explanation for his life trajectory, citing compulsive gambling and drug addiction as possible reasons behind his recurrent stays in prison.
In an attempt to understand Booth’s choices that led him back to jail time and again, his family spoke up in 2015. ‘His life was taken over by the addiction,’ his family revealed. Poised with the problem of unemployment, he resorted to looting as his means for financial support. Booth often targeted warehouses or vacant homes.
His family continued to explain, ‘An immediate need for money drove him to steal. That was his quickest solution to the problem.’ Regardless of the wise counsel that Judge Glazer offered Booth, it seems that her words fell on deaf ears. His family conceded that regardless of what anyone said, it seemed to have no effect on Booth’s choices.