George Greer
| George Greer | |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court Judge for Florida (retired) | |
| In office 1992–2010 |
|
| Pinellas County Commissioner | |
| In office 1984–1992 |
George W. Greer (born 1942) was an American judge serving in the Pinellas-Pasco County Circuit Court, family law division, in Clearwater, Florida, who received national attention when he presided over the Terri Schiavo case.
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[edit] Background and personal information
Born in 1942 in Brooklyn, New York, Judge Greer grew up in Dunedin, Florida. He received his associate's degree from St. Petersburg Junior College in 1962, his bachelor's degree from Florida State University at Tallahassee in 1964, and his law degree from the University of Florida's College of Law in Gainesville in 1966. He became a commissioner of Pinellas County as a Republican in 1984. He was first elected to his present position of probate judge in 1992 on a nonpartisan ballot, was reelected in 1998 and 2004. He retired in 2010 after his term expired.[1]
Greer is a Republican who was once a member of a Southern Baptist Church [1]
He is legally blind and cannot drive cars.[2] His colleagues say his condition gives him a unique perspective on the rights of the impaired. During Greer's studies at Florida State, he was for a time a roommate of Jim Morrison, who later became lead vocalist of The Doors.
[edit] Terri Schiavo case
Greer received substantial attention in national and international media for his involvement in the Terri Schiavo case. He was heavily criticized by Terri Schiavo's defenders for ordering her feeding tube removed against the wishes of her parents and siblings.
Because Greer's controversial decisions in the Schiavo case conflicted with the opinions of patrons at his church, the Calvary Baptist Church of Clearwater, Greer was asked by pastor William Rice to clarify his relationship with his church. Greer then withdrew his membership from the Calvary congregation.
In 2005 Greer was threatened with impeachment for his decisions in the Terri Schiavo case. Attorney Barry Cohen represented Judge Greer, who retained his position.[3]
[edit] Awards
- In 2004 he was awarded the Clearwater's Bar Association's highest honor becoming the only judge to win it twice.
- In 2005 he was awarded the Presidents Award of Merit from the Florida Bar. Those who know Judge Greer and practice in front of him believe he is the ideal jurist," said President Kelly Overstreet Johnson. "He is fair, he is impartial, and his rulings are based on law, not emotions and not politics."
- In 2005 he was awarded the Benjamin Franklin award by the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club which recognizes those persons who, through public appointed or elected service, have exhibited extraordinary integrity, courage and achievement
- In 2005 was awarded the Special Justice award from the Pasco Bar. President Joan Hook said "He is very meticulous in his decisions and he is a supporter of the law, doesn't let his emotions or personal feelings get in the way of his analysis of the law."
- In 2005 Jurist of the Year by the Florida Chapter American Board of Trial Advocates
- In September he was named 2005 Bay Area Champion of Justice by the Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association
[edit] Hogan divorce case
Judge Greer presided over the 2008 divorce case of Hulk Hogan and his wife, Linda Bollea. On January 30, 2008, Greer denied Linda's motion to have Hulk's assets frozen.[4]
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Petramala, Jonathan (2010-12-29) "Retiring judge leaves behind controversial legacy". BayNews9.com Retrieved 2011-7-13
- ^ Goodnough, Abby (2008-3-18 "Florida judge embroiled in right-to-die dispute". The New York Times. Retrieved on 2009-06-05
- ^ "D. C. Docket No. CV-05-00530" (PDF). abstractappeal.com. March 25 2005. http://abstractappeal.com/schiavo/11circuitorder033005.pdf. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
- ^ Gray, Ryan (01-30-2008)"Hogan Divorce Update, ECW Rating, Torrie, More" NoDQ.com Retrieved on 2009-06-05
