Judge Thornton seals the Hirsch tapes:

A Miami Beach man attempting to overturn his DUI manslaughter conviction was handed a setback today when a Circuit Court judge ruled that a secretly made tape recording did not show prominent defense attorney Milton Hirsch urged his client to flee the country rather than face trial.

Judge John Thornton told lawyers for Sean Casey that he listened to the taped conservation "not just once, but several times" before he decided to permanently seal the recording, which makes it illegal to disseminate it or a transcript of the recording.

Don't worry -- the Eric Dane/Rebecca Gayheart threesome tapes are still available and do not appear to be subject to Judge Thornton's order.

So it's kind of a split-the-baby ruling.

BTW, Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart -- what a marriage!

Way to keep things fresh, you newlyweds.

Francisco Alvarado has done some great reporting on the continuing Sean Casey/Milt Hirsch secret tapes saga, which brought none other than the big man himself, Tom Julin, into Judge Thornton's courtroom this afternoon to seek the release of the tapes.

Tom's also been busy petitioning the Supreme Court on Florida's lunch and goodies lobbyist ban, again on free speech grounds.

Any predictions on what Judge Thornton (I know I know -- I'm still getting used to that too) will do?

Over at Rump's place, they have been discussing for days this whole Milt Hirsch brouhaha.

It's sorta like the criminal defense bar's version of the endless Mr. Clucky coverage -- it's catnip to those JBB lawyers.

I've stayed away from the story, mostly because I have nothing to add as a civil litigator beyond that I know and respect Milton, plus the dude really knows how to rock a full beard.

On those two criteria alone, Milt will make an excellent judge.

But Riptide has opened up a civil angle to the story, in that none other than the Gainesville Grinder, the Media Man With A Plan, yes -- I'm talking Tom Julin himself(!) -- is representing Milt's accuser, Sean Casey, on a pro bono basis.

In a letter to New Times' Francisco Alvarado, Mr. Casey writes:

Please contact Mr. Thomas Julin (305-810-2516), a partner in the law firm of Hunton & Williams, a widely respected media attorney who is representing me pro bono. Yesterday, Mr. Julin effectively argued in Court against the sealing of the documents on legal and public policy grounds. There is a major legal issue here. The judge granted more time and set an August 13 date for the next hearing. I know you spoke with Mr. Julin once before. He would be more than willing to give you a statement on the issues. The prosecution is asking the court to seal tapes that are crucial evidence in my case and would help me get a new and more fair trial.

That's some serious firepower and a superb lawyer to have in your corner, Mr. Casey.

I suspect we have not heard the last of this one -- hail, it may even outlast the epic Reverend Cutié coverage.

(Ok, unless the tapes reveal Milt sticking his hands down a sexy latina's bikini bottom, it probably won't hit peak Cutié Crisis Coverage levels.)

I like Milt Hirsch.

Good lawyer, funny guy, he's gonna make a great judge.

But Milt, seriously, please stop following me around. He's everywhere.

Here he is with some other old white guys at the FACDL pro bono public defender event yesterday. I saw him again later at Stearns Weaver for the Bob Graham fundraiser for legal aid -- buy Senator Graham's new book on participatory democracy, btw. And thank you for your support, Senator.

It got a little much, however, when I was getting dressed this morning and Milt picked out my tie and handed me my shirt.

Miltie, please -- enough already. You have my support, you have my money, yes I will do a fundraiser.

What more can I offer?