Judge in language flap stepping away from case

[Francis M Hult]

>
> >From the Omaha World-Herald, October 17, 2003
>
> BY CINDY GONZALEZ
>
> WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
>
> The Sarpy County judge who told a Latino father to avoid speaking Spanish
> to his child during visitation has removed himself from the case, saying
> he didn't want further action of his to be attributed to an outcry over
> his remarks.  Sarpy County District Judge Ronald E. Reagan has removed
> himself from the controversial case.
>
> Having concluded that stepping down was necessary, District Court Judge
> Ronald E. Reagan explained his earlier comment that Eloy Amador not "speak
> Hispanic" to the 5-year-old daughter he recently met after his release
> from prison.
>
> "That requirement was simply based on common sense and courtesy - at this
> time, the English language is the only language his daughter understands,"
> Reagan wrote. "How will she learn any of the Hispanic cultural values if
> explained in a language she is unable to speak?"
>
> The judge's handling of the case elicited accusations of cultural bias and
> attention from out-of-state news media and from community leaders.
>
> Reagan said his decision had been based on comments from the child's
> mother and her lawyer, not any expert.
>
> "The minor child had been frightened during a visit because no one,
> including her father, would speak in English, the only language she
> understood," the judge said.
>
> Reagan said he did not mean that Amador could not teach Hispanic cultural
> and ethnic values. "I'd feel, and rule, the same way if roles were
> reversed."
>
> He also agreed to meet with a group, including some bilingual parents, who
> wanted the judge to "get to know" them.
>
> Amador is bilingual and has denied that he spoke only Spanish to his
> daughter, Destinie.
>
> Reagan's recusal means the case will be reassigned.
>
> Kelle Westland, attorney for the child's mother, Michaela Krayneski, said
> the development does not change their position.
>
> "I have no problem with Destinie being bilingual, learning her heritage,"
> Krayneski said. "We want to keep his visitations consistent until she
> bonds with him."
>
> Krayneski, 26, had said earlier that she would prefer Amador - who was
> recently released from five years in prison for selling drugs and
> possessing a weapon - to bow out of the child's life.
>
> Amador's attorney, John Sellers, was unavailable for comment.
>
> Amador said he is worried the delay will keep him from seeing the
> daughter.
>
> Krayneski and her attorney said Amador doesn't have to wait for the final
> order and could see the child as soon as he sets up supervised visits with
> the specialist who would monitor their get-togethers the next eight weeks.
>
> Jose Garcia, a member of the group that called for a meeting with the
> judge, said he still is concerned about cultural bias in the judicial
> system and will continue efforts to educate.
>
> "It's a problem that is not going to go away with one judge stepping from
> the fray," he said.
>
>
>
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