Judge Robert E. Beach and Scientology ?

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. :)