TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – Members of the Dutchess County Bar Association gathered for their annual holiday gathering and learned that the Grinch had recently been arrested and charged with burglary and criminal possession of stolen property. While most in the room knew the judge, the Hon. Tracy MacWhozie of Whoville (Dutchess County Family Court Judge Tracy MacKenzie), the true identity of the Grinch was not revealed until after the proceedings.
In an entertaining spin on “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, Judge MacWhozie, of the Court of Who listened to an argument from Dutchess County Assistant District Attorney Scott Johnson, who was seeking to have Grinch remanded without bail. Mr. Grinch was escorted into the courtroom by the Bailiff of Whoville, played by Dutchess County Family Court Judge Jeffrey Martin. Once the accused was brought to court, his attorney, Jason Richland of the Dutchess County Public Defender’s Office pleaded with the judge to let his client be released on bail, due to his medical condition. According to the defense attorney, Mr. Grinch has a heart that is two sizes too small.
After hearing from both attorneys, Judge MacWhozie opted to let the audience decide the fate of the accused green burglar.
The audience erupted with almost half of the audience screaming for remand. Those in favor of bail drowned out the chants by shouting “Bail”, at which point the true identity of the Grinch was revealed once he was released. The Hon. Mark Dillon of the Appellate Division took of his mask to the delight of the room.
“The pandemic prevented us from our annual festive event,” said Dutchess County Bar Association Janna Whearty. “This was our chance to get together and have some holiday fun.”
Video of the 10-minute proceeding: