Wife files for divorce against former judge

By ANITA KUMAR

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 29, 2001

CLEARWATER -- The wife of recently retired judge David F. Patterson filed for divorce days after obtaining court protection from the violent threats she claims he made against her while drinking heavily.

Patterson, 62, who was charged with drunken driving Saturday, was involuntarily committed to an in-patient alcohol rehabilitation center Monday.

The former chief judge of the appellate court in Lakeland just had been released from the psychiatric ward of another hospital last week even though his doctors had fought to keep him there.

Johnna Patterson, his wife of 11 years, filed for divorce in Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court, asking for the couple's Treasure Island home, two cars, alimony, health and life insurance and attorney's fees.

Mrs. Patterson obtained a separate court order two weeks ago, barring Patterson from having any contact with her at their home. That does not mean her abuse allegations have been proven, just that a judge considers them legally sufficient to keep him away from her until a hearing is held Sept. 19.

Some of the allegations made by Patterson's wife cover the time that Patterson was on the bench as chief of the 14-judge 2nd District Court of Appeal, which hears appeals from 14 counties, including Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco. He also served as the chief judge of the Pinellas-Pasco circuit.

Patterson, who has worked at Carlton Fields law firm since retiring from the bench in July, is being represented on the domestic violence case by Larry Goldstein. He did not return phone calls.

Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Walt Logan was randomly assigned to preside over the case but withdrew from the case. Circuit Judge Irene Sullivan now has been assigned that case and the domestic violence case.

Police took Patterson to the hospital two weeks ago under the Baker Act, which lets people be committed for up to 72 hours for psychiatric evaluation. This week, he was committed under the Marchment Act, a less frequently used law that allows people with substance abuse problems to be held if they could be a danger to themselves or others.

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