Reject Bellas

Is Judge Timothy Bellas too soft on crime? Is he coddling criminals?

Well, let’s see: The CNMI Supreme Court recently overturned one of his decisions, in which he went soft on a deportee. The Saipan Tribune recently reported that he suspended the punishment of 31 offenders. Stanley Torres and Mr. Goldberg certainly don’t think Mr. Bellas is doing such a fabulous job dispensing justice. In fact, Is
Judge Timothy Bellas too soft on crime? Is he coddling criminals?

Well, let’s see: The CNMI Supreme Court recently overturned one of his decisions, in which he went soft on a deportee. The Saipan Tribune recently reported that he suspended the punishment of 31 offenders. Stanley Torres and Mr. Goldberg certainly don’t think Mr. Bellas is doing such a fabulous job dispensing justice. In fact, Bellas’ ruling was even questioned through a formal writ of mandamus. A court employee, moreover, informs me that Judge Bellas reportedly let a knife-wielding armed robber get off with a slap on the wrist.

With all of the scandal (adultery) and controversy surrounding his tenure, can we really trust Judge Timothy Bellas to continue to dispense justice in a fair and even-handed manner? I seriously doubt it. I think Bellas ought to be removed from public office.

I have personally seen Mr. Bellas wield his authority in the courtroom (shouting at the defendant, harassing him, etc.). In my opinion, Bellas behaved worse–more rudely–than any television judge I have ever observed, at least in that particular instance.

Is this the kind of man we want in power?

At the same time, when a former Lt. Governor pleaded for leniency on a convicted rapist’ behalf, did Judge Bellas oblige? I believe he did: He certainly didn’t throw the book at the defendant.

So, I don’t know, perhaps it depends on who you are as a defendant, and whether or not you have a Lt. Governor and former Supreme Court Justice bucking for you.

And don’t be too quick to dismiss the adultery issue either. This was an utterly shameful transgression; and Mr. Bellas didn’t even have the common decency to resign and thereby safeguard the integrity and honor of the CNMI judicial system. In any other jurisdiction besides Washington, D.C., this would have been regarded as a very serious and grossly embarrassing event.

Vote “No” on Bellas in November. We don’t need soft-on-crime gigolos in our sacred House of Justice.