Judge Robert E. Beach and Scientology ?

1. Banned film 'The Profit' appears on Web = Judge Robert E. Beach banned a film critical of the Scientology organization from publication.
2. US federal judge and Florida judge clash over Scientology wrongful death case = Judge Robert E. Beach sanctions a lawyer from representing a mother in a wrongful death lawsuit against the Scientology organization, to the tune of $130,000 plus $1,000 per day — with that money to be given to — the Scientology organization.

You are right, individually, they are each interesting. Together, they appear to be a pattern of oddness.

Agreed; though I note that going against the we-shalt-not-sue-each-other deal was either a very brave or a very silly decision. Presumably, he got pissed at them sitting on a rare example of somebody who'll take them on.

Yes, perhaps.

As far as I'm concerned, if you make a completely secret deal that no one knows about except the two parties involved, and you have no evidence that the deal took place in the first place, then you shouldn't be surprised when one of the parties breaks the deal. That's why you don't make secret deals:P.

At least, that's what I got from the article. By "secret" did they mean "not broadcast to the public at large, but notarized and otherwise witnessed by their respective legal teams" or did they mean "backroom handshake that no one else knew about"? I can see either one of those being true based on what's available in the article. I see nothing in the sources to indicate which is meant, either.

Oh, right, my actual comment:

Gaah! Not this bloody judge again. A few these judges appear so obviously biased in their decisions that it's insane that they aren't kicked off the bench. Why are they allowed to continue being judges when they clearly are not impartial? Isn't impartiality one of the key traits needed to be a judge?

Gopher65, you are indeed appropriate to question possible judicial bias, after repeated cases of questionable judgment in favor of lawyers representing management of the Scientology organization. As for the Lisa McPherson wrongful death case settlement agreement, I think that the deal itself was indeed witnessed by both legal teams originally, and not a "backroom handshake". However, note that US federal judge Steven Douglas Merryday stated that the settlement was "irrelevant": "But Merryday said the settlement was irrelevant. He said his only concern was whether Dandar was being punished for complying with Merryday's order denying his motion to withdraw from the case. He said he would prohibit the church and Beach from levying any penalty against Dandar for his representation of a client in federal court." Cheers. :)