This Judge Has A Tearful, Sobering Reunion With A Middle School Classmate In Court

It’s usually a memorable moment to run into an old classmate in the many years after you graduate school. Sometimes it can be positive and build bridges, but other times it can be quite embarrassing. This situation is a bit of both.

Arthur Booth was arrested on Monday in Hialeah, Florida in the Miami-Dade area, accruing a number of charges that include burglary and grand theft. NBC News details that the 49-year-old led police on a bit of chase before he was finally cuffed:

According to an arrest report, Booth was spotted driving a gold Honda Accord that was a vehicle suspected of being involved in a home burglary. When an officer tried to stop the Accord, Booth took off, and a pursuit began, the report said. Booth ran stop signs and was involved in two accidents before crashing the car in the area of Northwest 36th Street and North River Drive, the report said. Booth fled on foot but was caught a short time later, authorities said.

It wasn’t until the court appearance that things seemed to really sink in for Booth, though. Judge Mindy Glazer faced him during his bond hearing and finished by asking him one question: Did you go to Nautilus Middle School? This clearly sent a shock through Booth, who couldn’t keep it together as you can see in the clip. Glazer attempted to offer some hopeful words in the meantime:

“I’m sorry to see you there, I always wondered what happened to you sir,” Glazer said, as Booth continued crying. “This was the nicest kid in middle school, he was the best kid in middle school. I used to play football with him, all the kids, and look what has happened…

“I am so sorry to see you there. Mr. Booth, I hope you are able to change your ways, good luck to you,” she said. “What’s sad is how old we’ve become. Good luck to you sir, I hope you are able to come out of this ok and just lead a lawful life.”

It’s emotional to see, but hopefully the words got through. It’s very easy to be bitter and say something like, “I told you so,” when you see former classmates fall from grace, so at least there is a bit of a silver lining here.

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(Via NBC News)

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