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Judge Holt’s ruling cited the prosecution’s failure to enter victim Rocky Gamboa’s medical records into evidence. This omission left only Gamboa’s hearsay testimony that a doctor had told him his injuries were permanent. Thus, one of the aggravating factors necessary for a prison sentence was not proven up. Neither the Tribune, Sun-Times, or the Reader mentioned this.
These are salient factors in the perception that Judge Holt is too soft. The answers to the following questions might help us ascertain the reality: How many of Judge Holt’s defendants fail to come to court after posting reduced bonds? How many commit crimes while out on such bonds? (The Reader did not make clear who set the bond that Serrick Pruitt violated by committing murder.) What percentage of his probationers violated their probation? How many of his defendants, released by verdict, pretrial ruling, or minimal sentence, went on to commit proven crimes? A little more information from the Reader might help us make up our minds, with a reasonable perception of the truth.
