* Some background is here. Press release…
The Judge Judy for Illinois Supreme Court campaign called upon David Overstreet to explain why he allowed the sexual predator of a 6-year-old child back on the streets. The case involves Jerad Peoples, who was convicted of molesting the 6-year-old little girl over the course of four years. Peoples was convicted by a Marion County judge and sentenced to 35 years in prison. He spent 3 years at Big Muddy Prison, and because of Overstreet’s ruling, Peoples is now free, his conviction vacated, and he does not have to register as a sex offender.
“David Overstreet owes the people of Southern Illinois an explanation for why he released a child molester from jail as an unregistered sex offender. The victim and their family have been through enough,” Cates said. “David Overstreet sits silent, hoping that the people of Southern Illinois do not demand an explanation for why he agreed to release a child molester who is now walking the streets,” Cates added.
“David Overstreet is trying to distract voters by making false claims that I am supported by Mike Madigan. I have accepted ZERO dollars from Madigan and his organization. I will go on record to say that I think Mike Madigan should step down from his position because of the obvious corruption that surrounds him. Madigan and I have not been friends and I do not believe in politics in the courtroom,” stated Justice Judy Cates. “And Overstreet claims I pose in my hunting gear, but he knows the truth, that I hunt and fish for my hobbies,” Cates added. “I have challenged Overstreet to a shootout, but he refuses to meet me at a gun range or even show the people that he has a FOID card,” she said.
The campaign acknowledges that David Overstreet rendered this opinion, but he cannot run from his judicial record of releasing this criminal back into our communities, allowing him to continue to terrorize the victim and her family. “This is a prime example of why a judge needs experience. I was a prosecutor and am horrified that some news outlets feel bad for the predator, who took Tylenol in order to avoid his trial,” Cates explained. “But it is the child who was the victim, not Peoples. The Judge Judy Cates for Supreme Court Campaign hopes the victim and her family will speak out or come forward. “Overstreet can try to attack my record, but Jared Peoples is right next to you, shopping at your local grocery store. I do not support Mike Madigan and believe he should resign. Judge Overstreet cannot run from his record with lies,” Cates said.
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 4:58 pm:
Judge Judy may be in trouble.
- NIU Grad - Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 5:02 pm:
Man, I just love this state. Never a dull moment.
- Ron Burgundy - Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 5:06 pm:
–“David Overstreet owes the people of Southern Illinois an explanation for why he released a child molester from jail as an unregistered sex offender. The victim and their family have been through enough,” Cates said. “David Overstreet sits silent, hoping that the people of Southern Illinois do not demand an explanation for why he agreed to release a child molester who is now walking the streets,” Cates added.–
Judges issue these things called opinions where they explain why they did what they did. Also this guy is awaiting retrial. If convicted (fairly this time), he goes back.
- Demoralized - Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 5:21 pm:
Judges are supposed to follow the law and as sickening as the outcome is that is what this judge did in this case. We have a Constitution for a reason. If this person wants to blame someone for the outcome of this case they need to look someplace else besides the judge.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 5:33 pm:
A candidate for the State Supreme Court throws down a shooting contest?
Well, it’s probably more interesting than a debate…
- Moe Berg - Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 5:41 pm:
===I have challenged Overstreet to a shootout===
Thanks, but gonna take a pass on this regional theater remake of “Hamilton.”
- West Side the Best Side - Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 6:23 pm:
This Judge Judy is as loony as the TV Judge Judy. Doesn’t seem like she’d be a good fit with the current members of the Illinois Supreme Court.
- Rusty - Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 6:58 pm:
From posted by Justice Overstreet two or three days ago:
“ Judges should not have their ruling politicized. You will not see anything approved by my campaign or by myself that would attack my opponent’s rulings from the bench. It is unfathomable to me that this is the climate we find ourselves in during a judicial campaign. While my opponent and I may disagree on certain interpretations of the law I will not publicly shame her for her decisions. We have 18 days left on the cycle of this election. I believe I have lived a life privately and publicly that will stand the test of time. I want to thank everyone who has stood with me against the malicious attacks that have been posed towards my service.”
Which candidate sounds more judicial?
- DownSouth - Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 7:04 pm:
Hmm perhaps a “shootout” at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex? More bang for the buck in IL’s ever growing more strange political climate?
- JoanP - Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 7:24 pm:
Any candidate who links herself to the disgrace that is Judge Judy deserves to lose.
- Ray - Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 7:38 pm:
For anyone else who was wondering, this is a DIFFERENT Judge Judy than the one on TV (Judy Sheindlin).
- downstate - Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 8:19 pm:
judge judy should run on eliminating the foid
- Dave W - Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 8:20 pm:
Next we’ll see her with a Trump wrap on her car and she’ll be wearing a red MAGA hat.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 9:50 pm:
Challenging Overstreet to a shootout will play well in that district.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 20, 20 @ 7:07 am:
Supreme Court Rule 63(A)(7)
A judge should abstain from public comment about a pending or impending proceeding in any court…
- The Ford Lawyer - Tuesday, Oct 20, 20 @ 7:25 am:
The release is supposed to call into question Judge Overstreet’s judicial ability. What it actually does is call into question Judge Judy’s fitness for office and whether Supreme Court justice should be an elected office in the first place.
- Arock - Tuesday, Oct 20, 20 @ 8:56 am:
“A judge should abstain from public comment about a pending or impending proceeding in any court…” - according to Democrats that standard does not apply to nominees to the US Supreme Court.
- Douglas Richard - Monday, Oct 26, 20 @ 7:18 pm:
Read the case. 2020 IL App. (5th) 190114-U. The Defendant was tried in absentia, while he was in the Hospital. The Unanimous ruling, written by Justice Wharton, was that the Trial Judge failed to make adequate inquiry into whether the Defendant’s absence from trial was willful. The case was remanded for a new trial. Justice Overstreet did not do anything wrong. Judge Cates’ comments, however, do violate the Judicial Code of Conduct.