A burglary suspect broke down on the stand after discovering he and the judge attended the same school 36 years ago.
In a jaw-dropping encounter in court, a burglary suspect breaks down after the judge recognizes him as a friend from middle school from 36 years ago!
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“Mr. Booth, I have a question for you,” the judge said to the suspect.
“Yes, ma'am,” he replied.
“Did you go to Nautilus for middle school?” the judge asked.
“Oh, my goodness!” said the suspect.
“I'm sorry to see you there. I always wondered what happened to you, sir,” the judge said.
The suspect was overwhelmed with emotion - and could only sob the same thing over and over after the judge recognizes him as a friend from middle school.
“Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness,” said the suspect.
Video of the stunning reunion is now sweeping the Internet. A YouTube page already has over seven and a quarter million views.
It happened at a bail hearing for 49-year-old Arthur Booth on burglary charges. Miami-Dade County Judge Mindy Glazer was the sitting judge. She couldn't believe her eyes.
“This was the nicest kid in middle school. He was the best kid in middle school. I used to play football with him, all the kids, and look what has happened. I'm so sorry,” the judge said.
INSIDE EDITION tracked down the Nautilus Middle School yearbook that shows the judge and the suspect way back in 1979.
“He was a great kid. He was outstanding," Melissa Miller, Booth's cousin, told INSIDE EDITION. She said he was an honor student and a popular athlete in middle school.
She said Booth became a loving father -- but reportedly got caught up with drugs. Now his family hopes his reunion with the judge will help him change his life.
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“It really opened his eyes and allowed him to see there are people out there that know and understand [that he is] a great person,” she said.
The judge said to the suspect in court, “Mr. Booth, I hope you're able to change your ways.”
She offered encouraging words to her childhood friend: “Good luck to you, sir. I hope you are able to come out of this okay and just lead a lawful life,” she said, setting the bail at $43,000.
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