Appeal filed for calling judge a fool

FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) - A man who called a Farmington judge a fool is appealing his 60-day jail sentence for contempt of court and asking a district court to release him while it considers his case.  

Robert Hockman, 29, was arrested Dec. 13 after he called Magistrate Judge Stanley King a fool after a preliminary hearing in his brother's second-degree murder case ended.  

Hockman told his brother to keep his head up as he was being led away, King told him not to talk to the prisoner and Hockman responded. Confronted by the judge, Hockman asked "did I stutter?"  

That prompted his arrest and immediate 60-day jail sentence.  

The Farmington Daily Times reports Hockman's appeal, filed Dec. 21, says he has no major criminal history and isn't a threat. District Judge Karen Townsend will review the motions. No hearing date has been scheduled.   Hockman's father, Matt Beach, called the sentence excessive.  

"In no way do I condone what (Hockman) did," he told the Daily Times. "But shouldn't the punishment fit the crime? My son has been held in jail more than most repeat DWI offenders."  

Chief Deputy District Attorney Dustin O'Brien said Hockman is lucky he's not serving six months in jail, which is the maximum a judge can sentence a person to for contempt of court.  

"We've had people be sentenced to considerably more time for much less," he said. "Calling a judge a fool is pretty egregious."  

Hockman's brother, Jacob Beach, 20, has pleaded not guilty in the death of Sharolyn Keown, an 18-year-old Farmington woman who was shot and killed Nov. 5. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing during the Dec. 13 court appearance.