Mr. Greenwald is an acclaimed trial lawyer. Judge Knipel contracted COVID last spring. It is unknown if he had been on a ventilator. There are people who say they can’t wear a mask. Mr. Greenwald wore his mask until he got light-headed, sweaty and clammy forcing him to sit down. The articles I read did not disclose Mr. Greenwald’s health issues. He asked the Court for a 2-month continuance — whether this was believing mask mandates would be lifted, or whether his own health issue would be better, is unknown. An attorney must speak up in a courtroom, even if healthy, to be heard, even if the courtroom is equipped with ceiling mics. I can’t imagine speaking loudly thru a mask for an extended period of time.
Mr. Greenwald was representing the plaintiff. Defendant had already admitted guilt. The hearing was to determine the amount of money plaintiff would be awarded — not an extended trial of guilt or innocence. Surely, Mr. Greenwald has appeared in Judge Knipel’s Court before. It’s an odd decision, which will be appealed. |