A test case for US justice
The American justice system is being put to the test, if not challenged outright, by the arrogant and abrasive Floyd Mayweather Jr. who effectively defied the order of Federal judge Robert Johnston to appear in court and give his deposition by not showing up.
The deposition relates to the defamation case filed against Mayweather by pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao over allegations by Mayweather that the “Fighter of the Decade” was on performance enhancing drugs.
Judge Johnston had earlier denied an emergency motion filed by Mayweather’s lawyers, who sought a postponement of the deposition by claiming that Mayweather was training for his Sept. 17 fight against Victor Ortiz.
That is farthest from the truth since the fight is some three months away and Mayweather himself has often bragged that he is always in condition and ready to fight.
Pacquiao’s topnotch lawyer Daniel Petrocelli said he would seek a default, pointing out that the court has the power to hold Mayweather in contempt as well, because of his failure to follow the court order. If it was any other individual, the court would have ordered his or her immediate arrest. This is the challenge for Judge Johnston to demonstrate the fairness of US justice.
The claim by Mayweather’s lawyer Mark Tratos that neither he nor Mayweather would be available on Friday was an affront to the judicial system. It was all right for Mayweather to defame and slander Pacquiao with his baseless charges but now he wants the justice system to work at his convenience. The lawyer should have made themselves available. Period.
For Tratos to claim that they tried to extend every courtesy they could is an insult to our intelligence. Failing to honor a court order is the height of arrogance and discourtesy to both the judge and the legal system.
When both Tratos and the Pacquiao lawyers argued before Judge Johnston regarding a motion to defer, the judge, very correctly we might add, sided with Pacquiao.
The lawyer’s pledge to produce him after the fight against Ortiz will not stand because as the Americans often like to preach to us, justice delayed is justice denied.
Mayweather’s lawyers argued that he needs to concentrate on training for the fight. It seems terribly odd that the fighter who claims he is the greatest in the world needs to train three months ahead of a fight. Meantime, he and his father Floyd Mayweather Sr., who was imprisoned for five years for peddling cocaine, and his trainer and uncle Roger Mayweather, who also faces several charges, continue to insult Pacquiao and make vile if veiled accusations, obviously aware of the consequences.
Mayweather, according to his lawyer, needs to prepare for his deposition. Prepare for what? To be coached by his lawyers? It won’t work Mayweather. Just answer the questions and don’t lie. And while you are at it, be man enough to face Pacquiao on both fronts—in the courts and in the ring. And, we might add, be prepared to take a beating in both arenas.
