Memories of a Former Bailiff by Mike Bruno

In 1980, while finishing my
first year of law school, I
was hired by The Honorable
George M Glasser as a
criminal bailiff. I had a seat
in the courtroom. I learned
much of what I know
today over those three
and a half years.

Ignorance is No Defense: During my first few months,
there were no jury trials. Finally, a criminal case was
tried with a guilty verdict. Judge Bruce Huffman, visiting
from Sandusky County, was presiding. After the verdict
was read, the defense made a request, which caused
Judge Huffman to turn to me and Shout, “Bailiff, poll
the jury. ” The whole courtroom went quiet. All eyes
were on me. I’m sure I had the “deer in the headlights”
look. I gathered my wits enough to ask permission to
approach the bench, where I informed the judge I had
no idea what he was requesting of me. Judge Huffman
then calmly polled each juror, making sure they agreed
on a guilty verdict.

Best Carnival Atmosphere: State versus Gentry was
tried in October of 1982. Jack “Jack o lantern” Gentry
was a Hell’s Angel accused of killing Ralph “Real Time”
Tanner, a member of The Outlaws motorcycle gang.
This was well before metal detectors and limited entry
points to the courthouse. Hundreds of Hells Angels came
to town to support Gentry, including their leader, Sonny
Berger. Country singer Johnny Paycheck stayed for the
whole trial. The case was tried across the hall from our
courtroom. Yet, each day, the defense lawyer would
enter our courtroom and request permission to use our
Jury Room during the noon recess. I figured he was going
over his notes, preparing for the next witness. Not at all.
When I peeked into the Jury Room, there he was, lying
on the table, sound asleep. Gentry was acquitted of the
murder.

Biggest Miss: One thing I’ve learned over the years is to
keep your eyes open and ears open during a trial. Stuff
happens. Blink, and you might miss it. During a murder
trial in our courtroom, the eyewitness was asked by the
prosecution to point out the murderer and indicate what
he was wearing. Instead of pointing to the defendant, the
witness pointed to a lawyer, sitting inside the railing as a
spectator. The lawyer representing the defendant did not
pick up on it. The trial continued, and the misidentification
was never mentioned. The defendant was still found
guilty of murder, and the lawyer identified in the open
court as the murderer continues to walk free.

Biggest Whiff: While the judge was giving the jury the
instructions of law, it was my job to stand outside the
courtroom door and not allow anyone to enter until
after the jury was charged. So, there I was, guarding
the door next to a conspicuous “do not enter” sign,
when Bobby Kaplan came down the hallway. As he
approached, I utilized every nonverbal, including both
outstretched hands to signify “Halt”. Well, it was as if
I were invisible. Bobby forced open the door, took a
few steps into the courtroom, and exclaimed (loudly),
“My God, they let Murray Guttman sit on the jury?”
Just Bobby being Bobby.

The Perfect Lunch: Another murder trial offered the
rare opportunity to escort a sequestered jury to lunch
at the former Town Club on Adams Street. So there
I was with 12 criminal jurors, two alternates, and a
few Sheriff’s deputies, all together at a long table. To
my surprise, a single waitress took everyone’s order
and returned later, serving each of us exactly what
we ordered, all without taking a single note. I was
stunned. This was my first experience being served
by the legendary Dao Regikner, who started her work
life 60 years ago selling fruit in Vietnam. At first,
the Town Club owner limited Dao to a single table
because she struggled with English. Well, Dao solved
that rather quickly, putting her amazing memory to
use. Dao continues to use her gifts at Georgio’s Cafe
in downtown Toledo. The food is great, and Dao’s
attention to detail is impossible to beat