Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Judge asks to be removed from Gooden case
Judge Ronald Ficarrotta cited his brother's ties to the ex-Yankees pitcher.
By Times Staff Writer
Published September 12, 2005
TAMPA - A Hillsborough circuit judge recused himself Monday from presiding over the case of former baseball star Dwight Gooden. Citing his brother's ties to the ex-Yankees pitcher, Judge Ronald Ficarrotta said he wanted to avoid "even the appearance of impropriety" and asked that the case be moved to another court.
Although the judge's brother, Joseph Ficarrotta, a Tampa attorney, no longer represents Gooden, he has appeared in court on his behalf on a number of occasions in the past.
Gooden, 41, turned himself in Aug. 25, three days after police said he fled in his BMW when an officer stopped him for driving erratically and asked him to take a sobriety test. The former baseball star is charged with driving under the influence, fleeing and eluding police and obstructing an officer without violence.
On Aug. 26, another Hillsborough circuit judge revoked bail for Gooden, who was then out on bail for an unrelated domestic violence charge, and ordered him to receive treatment at a drug rehabilitation facility. Gooden is scheduled to enter a plea on the most recent charges in court today.
[Last modified September 12, 2005, 19:41:27]
Share your thoughts on this story
|
News
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
Print
Email story
Comment
Email editor
