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Crime

Woman Who Flipped Off Judge in Viral Vid. Appears Back in Court — Hear What Was Said This Time

Feb. 9, 2013 9:10am Liz Klimas

The Miami woman in a video that went viral earlier this week, showing her in court flipping off a judge for setting her bond at $10,000 and then being slapped with 30 days in jail for her disrespectful actions, was singing a different tune Friday.

Penelope Soto Who Flipped Off Miami Judge Apologizes and Contempt Charge Is Dropped

(Image: YouTube screenshot)

With a lawyer by her side, 18-year-old Penelope Soto said Friday she was under the influence of Xanax and alcohol when she made the obscene and rude comments directed at Circuit Judge Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat. Soto apologized and the judge waived bail and dropped the contempt charge.

Soto had a more somber face as she apologized for her actions Friday. (Image: KTLA video screenshot)

Rodriguez-Chomat said he hoped it would be a lesson in respect and that Soto would have been a convicted felon if he allowed the contempt charge to stand.

Her lawyer said Soto will complete a drug court program. That includes treatment for drug addiction and usually results in charges eventually being dropped for first-time offenders.

Watch Soto’s apology:

Here’s the viral video, which has more than 9.5 million views on YouTube as of Saturday, in case you missed it earlier this week:

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Comments (80)

TheTruthTruthTruth
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:48pm
(The second part is so refreshing:) For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:13)

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- muffythetuffy
  Posted on February 10, 2013 at 12:12pm
  THAT JUDGE MUST BE A SELECTED NOT ELECTED JUDGE
  
  This judge does not even speak proper English and acted in a flippant disrespectful manner.
  
  Report this comment
- muffythetuffy
  Posted on February 10, 2013 at 12:13pm
  The young women looked Bipolar who had not taken her medication. The Judge seems more dangerous to the public than that young girl.
  
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- map42892
  Posted on March 25, 2013 at 11:47pm
  You people can’t be for real, lol. Believe it or not we’ve figured out by now the bible isn’t relevant. There’s nothing wrong with setting a higher bail, it’s not excessive or out of his control. And just because you’re unemployed and didn’t pass high school English doesn’t mean an accent isn’t “proper English.” If you’re American you’re also not speaking “proper English.” Please do the world a favor and a good deed by killing yourselves.
  
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SPOT_OF_TEA
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:50pm
I agree that the odds are against this girl of cleaning herself up but what is there to lose by this judge showing some compassion and making her think that someone cares about her….if she had served the 30 days she would have left bitter and resentful….the judge got her attention then made her feel important enough to try to help her…..maybe she will be the 1 in a thousand who will use the opportunity to straighten up.

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- bondroid
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 2:28pm
  Amen.
  
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- Weiners Wiener
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 3:40pm
  Or maybe she’ll just go back to drugs, take up stripping to pay for the pills, then start cranking out babies like there’s no tomorrow and collecting welfare. That’s where I’m placing my bet.
  
  Report this comment
- Melika
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 8:48pm
  The harm is that she and everyone else who saw this knows that the U.S. legal system is nothing but a paper tiger, easily fooled & manipulated. She and her lawyer are not idiots, they know the act that needs to be given and this judge just got played, big time. Anyone who thinks his mercy is something to be repeated and admired is a naive fool who hasn’t spent more than 5 minutes with people like this. She’ll go into whatever easy “punishment” with a smirk on her face & this will become a fun story to tell her friends as to how she got one over on the old fart.
  You all want to know why the nation is in the shape it is; why the “youts” act they way they do? It’s because they all know that with a ****-do & a simple “I’m sorry, I was on xxx at the time & couldn’t help myself” they will never be held accountable for their actions. While you are patting yourselves on the back for being morally superior to those of us who would have liked to see her actually reap the charges she earned, the nation is crumbling around our knees to the cacophony of you wailing “Why?”
  
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- ickyopterus
  Posted on February 10, 2013 at 6:38am
  The Judge is a fool and the girl is what she will always be, a burden on society and he should have let the sentence stand. She will laugh this off and still be a snip……….Caning her ass would have been better still!!!
  
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- ickyopterus
  Posted on February 10, 2013 at 6:47am
  Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!……………
  
  Report this comment
- SCREW-WINDOWS
  Posted on February 10, 2013 at 8:34pm
  Drugs are not an excuse for poor decisions but in todays society it appears to work.
  
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right field
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:50am
The Judge is listed as a former Republican Member of the Florida House of Representatives (1995-1999) and was elected to 11th Judicial Circuit Court (Elected without opposition in April of 2010)
Soto had a lawyer represent her the second time around and Judge Rodriguez-Chomat made a ruling that is consistent with her record and the facts of the case. If she is back in court again anytime soon, she will get much harsher treatment. Circuit Court Judges in Florida are elected by popular vote – so, this Judge must also answser to the voters as well as uphold the law. Interesting combination of concepts these days.

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- muffythetuffy
  Posted on February 10, 2013 at 12:15pm
  He would make a good US Supreme Court Justice.
  
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Rowgue
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:42am
Sorry judge moron but contempt of court is almost always a misdemeanor. There are very few cases in which contempt of court is a felony, all involving ignoring/disobeying a court ruling. The judge getting mad because he thinks he was disrespected doesn’t qualify.

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- Weiners Wiener
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 3:50pm
  I’m pretty sure her lawyers and all the cable news talking heads who are also licensed attorneys would have pointed that out already if that were the case in Florida, but they haven’t. So that tells me you’re wrong. Stop blowing smoke.
  
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- TCPatriot
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 9:04pm
  Rowgue, I know it breaks your progressive heart to think that this Judge may be right! Facts are facts the moron here is the progressively educated female who has no manners or gravitase (I only use that word because your progressive mind has been programmed for it) she is a loser who deserves whatever the Judge feels is fair whenshe disrespects him in the court room. Thats the problem these days progressives have destroyed civility in this union and should all be put in their place when they say or do anything and I mean anything that is disrespectful to another citizen. You all are the problem and this female is just a fair example of the ignorance that has been impossed by progressive socialist democrats on our children.
  
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EllieR
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:36am
Dear Lord, please advise the Blaze to avoid the annoying buzzword VIRAL and many other vile journalistic cliches, such as SLAM, for example (“he slammed…”). Please tell them to utilize Thesaurus or something.

/rant

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- Ditto Head
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:05pm
  At least they seem to have abandoned the highly condescending practice of writing most of their headlines as questions, e.g., “Do you really want to see…?” or “Did So-and-So really do such-and-such?” Talk about amateur…
  
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- EllieR
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 1:39pm
  No, they did not, regrettably. There are at least three headlines formatted as questions on the front page right now.
  
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- Weiners Wiener
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 3:43pm
  Hey, DITTOHEAD — If you think this site is so bad, why do you waste your precious time reading it? And how pathetic does that make you, spending your time on something you criticize as if you can’t find anything better?
  
  Report this comment
circleDwagons
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:24am
Judge is a control wuzz. Why give 30 day sentence if you are not going to follow thru? What was the lesson learned?

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RDMercer
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:20am
I doubt the bratty chica was truly remorseful but just didn’t want to spend 30 days away from all her jewelries and clothes. I do have to respect the judge however for not holding a grudge and being willing to forgive. Might not have been the right thing because sometimes some time in the can will really put your head on straight. It’s easy time. You learn being locked up truly sucks and you rethink your life path.

Unfortunately, her life path may have been chosen for her already.

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sspate16
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:08am
I’m not very good at reading people, so I really couldn’t tell whether or not this woman was remorseful fro her actions. I hope she was and I hope she takes this chance the judge gave her to do the right thing.

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- Agnes
  Posted on February 10, 2013 at 3:05pm
  I seriously doubt if she will change. Do you really think that she wants to go to school or work?
  
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dbeesh
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:01am
DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator), the judge is directing punishment to a person who broke the law. HER attitude three times is why the sentence was increased. I don’t think it was right to drop the contempt charges just because she apologized but we don’t know the whole story. If the judge felt the girl was genuine in her apology, then it is his decision to drop the charges.

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REVerse
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:01am
My hat is off to the judge and the young lady.

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- Weiners Wiener
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 3:46pm
  Young lady? Being under 18 and having a ****** doesn’t make her a young lady. It makes her young. Being a lady is teh feminine counterpart to a gentleman. If you had a son who used drugs and disrespected a court of lw like this tramp did, would you call him a gentleman? C’mon. Call a spade a spade. She’s a trashy little skank, not worthy of the title ‘lady’. Perhaps one day she will be. Until then, let’s not insult all the real ladies out there who know how to carry themselves.
  
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nappy
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:40am
Excuse me.. but I could not care less what happens to this girl. Not sure why this is even a story actually. She’ll end up where most idiots end up. In the morgue. Whatever.

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- Agnes
  Posted on February 10, 2013 at 3:08pm
  Thank you for expressing my feelings about this idiot/loser!
  
  Report this comment
cassandra
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:30am
this Judge should have kept his rule and keep her in jail for 30 days again NO CONSEQUENCES for disrespect for the court or LAWS Say what you mean and mean what you say she will be back in court again !!!!!!!!

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- 3monkeysmomma
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:46am
  When I was about this age I got caught doing something I shouldn’t. The police officer knew me, dragged me into a nearby restroom, threw me against the wall and hollared at me for about 10 minutes. He didn’t arrest me, but that was all it took.
  
  That was the ONLY time I ever got in trouble. I thank God he didn’t arrest me because that would have ruined my chances at a career and a respectable life. Some kids will respond well if given a second chance.
  
  Report this comment
- DDD
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:56am
  3MONKEYSMOMMA, I’m assuming it was a male cop? He may have straightened you out, but hauling you into a restroom, slamming you against a wall and yelling at you for 10 minutes WITHOUT a charge, seems like brutality to me and should have been reported. Just sayin’.
  
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- 3monkeysmomma
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:11am
  How is being taken to a restroom and being yelled at “brutal”?
  
  Ok being pushed against a wall might be a bit rough, but having worked with inmates, ex-cons and at-risk youth in my career, trust me when I tell you that in a corrections enviroment what the detainees/inmates do to each other is far, far worse!
  
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- Ditto Head
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:12am
  @DDD
  A cop being slightly rough with someone in order to scare them is not police brutality. Your mindset that anytime a cop touches anybody more firmly than a mother would touch her newborn baby is a snake lawyer mentality, and is detrimental to civilized society. I have several theories of what the three Ds actually stand for, and “dumb@$$” seems to work in every one.
  
  You’re part of the problem.
  
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- SPOT_OF_TEA
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:14am
  The girl didn’t kll anyone…..If the goal is to rehabilitate,this judge did an amazig job in the atempt to get ths girl off drugs and lead a respectable life……It is up to her now to make that happen…..I pray she can beat her dug dependency.
  
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Thinman
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:25am
The Latino culture in action, a little roll in the back room and all is forgiven. He will be looking forward to the next time she is back.

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- Ditto Head
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:58am
  Brilliant analysis, sir. Yes, they had a “roll” in the back room. Yeah, that must be how all Mexicans do it, right? Oh, no…of course you’re not a racist. The girl was in a jail and was talking to the judge via closed circuit television. So maybe you could further your narrative and explain to all of us dummies how they had a “roll” through the TV? Maybe she just did like a pseudo “web-cam show” for the judge? Or maybe his courtroom is built right onto the jail? Please get back to us asap on this!
  
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freeberty
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:16am
Seems like some of you sheeple need to remember, when it comes to government, especially the justice system that think this is about control not respect.

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searching for the Truth
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:13am
I believe so many listen to rebellious songs and these songs are reverberating in their minds , but when they hear the song no more, reality sets in – pride only leads to a fall.

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progressiveslayer
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:09am
Instead of jail time a public canning would’ve been much more effective in this case.We’ve gotten away from the idea of punishment and we simply warehouse people.

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- searching for the Truth
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:15am
  Yes, so many with tarnished records, with very little work to find having one.
  
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- Gonzo
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:50am
  Bath Salts are legal in a lot of states Slayer. You want your face eaten?
  
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- progressiveslayer
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:48pm
  Gonzo No I don’t want my face eaten and I don’t believe we’d see a rise in addicts just because drugs were decriminalized either.
  
  Report this comment
- MartyTr
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 2:08pm
  Hope you don’t support stoning or cutting of someone’s hands and feet.
  
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- TCPatriot
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 9:09pm
  So true we need civics in this Union and teaching them with a swat or two never hurts anything.
  
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RRFlyer
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 9:58am
Let me get this straight. If you want to rob a bank, or shoot someone, all you have to do it get high on some illegal substance, go commit your crime, then apologize and say you didn’t mean it because you were on drugs?

Somethings wrong with this picture

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FlagWavingPatriot
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 9:45am
All this judge did is reinforce what kids think today…there are no consequences for actions. She should have stayed in jail every second of that 30-day sentence. To let her off so early won’t teach her a damn thing except that she can talk her way out of everything, even the law.

Disgusting. The judge missed a real chance to teach this girl something. 30 full days would have potentially changed her life. As it is now, nothing changed.

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- Gonzo
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 9:51am
  Yup, couldn’t agree more. He’ll see her in court again soon.
  
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- OldSurfRat
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 9:55am
  Flag
  
  Maybe, maybe not. If she does 30 will she meet new people that will surely guide her to a better life?
  
  Give her a chance and if that does not work then throw the book at her.
  
  Report this comment
- DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:01am
  What this judge did was act like a tyrant. He was playing around with the child and the kid was not being a smart*** when she said, “adios”. This is even more evident when she returns to the camera. No worry, no timidness, because she was just reciprocating his hypocritical playfulness. HE was being a snotty ***. Tyrant on a throne. The 5k was sufficient.
  
  Contempt of court? Who do you think is upholding and enforcing draconian laws? If you don’t have contempt for the courts you have a much greater issue. So in other words, you should go into a court and humiliate yourself and submit? No thanks. Courts are no longer structured to serve justice; they serve the egos of the judges.
  
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- Gonzo
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:16am
  Making Zanax illegal without a prescription is a “draconian law”?
  
  Report this comment
- justangry
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:40am
  Gonzo, It’s a progressive law. It could be viewed as draconian considering the ACA will force DO’s to provide information about you to the fed. Also mental health issues / background checks is the smoke and mirrors compromise the progs in both parties will use to infringe on our 2nd. Go to doctor, get script for Xanax, doctor provides that information to the CDC… and you can’t buy a gun. Progressive laws have intended consequences.
  
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- Gonzo
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:01am
  I disagree that all drug laws are draconian Angry. I do think pot should be legal but past that, I really don’t think legalizing psychoactive drugs is a good idea.
  
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- progressiveslayer
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:15am
  Gonzo I think the states should have the say in weather or not a drug is illegal,take it out of the feds hands. Portugal decriminalized drugs and they haven’t seen a rise in addicts. Look at how much we spend every year with the ‘war on drugs’ then add in the cost of imprisonment as opposed to just decriminalizing drug use.
  
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- AUsername
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 8:07pm
  adios and adding bail for that was him being a dick but this understanding made up for it.
  
  Report this comment
- beps
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:28pm
  Not necessarily true; her demeanor has changed in six days. Looks like silly girl learned her lesson. All you punitive haters, her only ‘crime’ was against herself; therefore, is that really criminal?
  
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- ickyopterus
  Posted on February 10, 2013 at 6:55am
  You hit the proverbial nail on the head!
  
  Report this comment
noslave
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 9:43am
its all a game?play the system?political correctness at its worse?she couldnt give a rats azz about being sorry,it gives the suck-up judges a chance to look good on t.v.?drug dealers caught numerious times have played the system with fake redemption??”THIS TIME I GOTS ME A JOB??,ETC.and then given a fifteenth chance from jail avoidance??,just PROBATION?? law and order has become a joke for these people??thats why democrats give out freebies and exuceses for their voter base??

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OldSurfRat
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 9:40am
As a father of daughters I hope this works.
Change the **** and the attitude. Pray to god for help and it will come in his time.

If not we will be reading about her again.

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- Eastinfection
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 9:51am
  Sup SURF?
  
  Have you heard the word?
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WNrx2jq184
  
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- OldSurfRat
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:01am
  LOL East
  
  All this time I thought I was just saying “Hi There” while driving.
  oooooops!
  
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- OldSurfRat
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:06am
  East
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tryilKB2kXk&playnext=1&list=PL61B16B7E1F4C1A48&feature=results_main
  
  Report this comment
rochrealtor
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 9:33am
I hope this young women takes the generosity and compassion from this judge and does good with it.You might have saved one Judge.

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DagneyT
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 9:29am
He should have stuck by his original sentence. When the women of a civilization are no longer themselves civilized, the entire civilization is in decline. Women are meant to be the tempering influence, which is why the muslim world treats them so abominably; the do not want to be tempered.

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Taquoshi
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 9:27am
Nice apology, but she was under the influence and actions have consequences. I vote for 30 days in the slammer. Sorry about the record, but when you play, you pay.

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progressiveslayer
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 9:25am
That pic at the top of the girl is priceless,I get that look every time a chick sees my package.

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- catty
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 3:32pm
  Complete horror?
  
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- sligresda
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:52pm
  lol@ catty
  
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- progressiveslayer
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:47pm
  I know she knew she couldn’t take it all.
  
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- whiskeyrebel
  Posted on February 10, 2013 at 10:34am
  Cool.
  
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- katzkiner
  Posted on February 10, 2013 at 8:16pm
  Catty you take top honors today, good one. PS your getting slack there buddy.
  
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mdmike1
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 9:20am
So, she will not be held accountable at all. Great.
Pst, court mandated drug rehab programs don’t work. Never have, never will.
They do however pad pockets…

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