2 Miami Dade County middle school students embarked on separate journeys in life. But on Thursday they were reunited in a Miami Dade courtroom.
Hardened criminal Arthur Booth was recently arrested on burglary and theft charges. Miami Judge Mindy S. Glazer presided over his bond hearing on Thursday. The petty criminal raised an eyebrow when the judge asked him if he attended Nautilus Middle School on Miami Beach.
“Oh, my goodness! Oh, my goodness!” Booth shouted as he recognized his former classmate.
Booth broke down in tears as Glazer said, “I’m sorry to see you here. I always wondered what happened to you, sir.”
“This was the nicest kid in middle school,” Glazer said, as Booth wailed.
“He was the best kid in middle school,” she told the court reporter. “I played football with him. And look what has happened.”
“I’m sorry to see you here,” Glazer repeated, before setting Booth’s bail at $44,000.
Local10 News interviewed Booth’s cousin, Melissa Miller, outside the courtroom. She said Booth was a good athlete, but drug use led him to a life of crime.
Miller said Booth’s reunion with his former classmate was a “wake up call” that should force him to see his wasted potential.
Booth remains in jail on bond.
Watch the emotional video below.

She needs to be recused from the case. That’s all I got.
You know this is sad but different neighborhoods values.,.
Commiting to a life of crime is hard to imagine. Hopefully this guy gets it together, he obviously has remorse, he still has a heart. That’s a good sign, most criminals would give two f****.
Serena’s serve is so unfair.
This has happened to me. In law I agree with the other person to prevent any problem in the future regardless what it is I never get involved. And one I wanted too for the jury. She was GREAT then I said Damn I went to school with her. I was so mad I think anything legal recuse yourself I got a speeding ticket from high school crush he was so cute but knowing me didnt stop my ticket
That was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Although I’m sure that he was ashamed beyond belief I know he was also happy to see his classmate doing so well and was genuinely happy to see her. Drugs have destroyed so much potential. It’s really sad.
Couldn’t have said it better
Some would say, the judge is successfull, because of white privilege and the offender is a criminal, because of black oppression. I say, we are a product of our choices!
I agree…..to an extent.
He probably was embarrassed beyond belief.
I don’t believe in white privilege and I can’t believe we are allowing white people to troll us with this sh*t.
ITA!! I hope it’s a wake up call for him to “do better”
Ok… to what extent do you disagree?
I believe some allowances should be made for people with diminished mental capacity or those who endured devastating childhood trauma, but once you reach adulthood, you are responsible for your actions.
Case in point, I have a friend whose mother was shot in the head during a family picnic. She died in his arms. He was only10 years old.
Shortly thereafter, his father went to prison for selling drugs.
His siblings were taken in by family members, but he was dumped in to the foster care system, because he is gay and his family didn’t want “that little f@ggot” in their house.
Despite his horrific childhood, he earned a MBA and owns a healthcare technology consulting firm.
Bingo!
He went through a lot and most people would have broken down. I’m glad that he was able to heal and succeed.
New post
You have to take into account poverty and history but I do believe the further we get away from slavery the less excuses we have. In my opinion, America is not a black or white country, its a green country. If you can make a white man(or whoever) 5 million dollars and a white man can only make him 2, you get the contract. America has more of a class problem than race. Puffy is a free man today when he should be being charged with aggravated assault. Why? Because he’s worth a quarter of a billion dollars. As long as I can make the money i want, worship where I want, and go where i want, what a white person THINKS doesn’t move the needle for me so I don’t care.
holy chit…i was embarrassed for him! hopefully he gets it together.
She was successful because of hard work and determination. My daughter just graduated from nursing school. It was a long hard road but she made it. Out of 102 student there was only 4 African Americans that graduated.
She’s young and very smart and will have a financially secured life. I didn’t have her mentality at her age, got pregnant then married and divorced and then a single mother. I didn’t want her to repeat the cycle and that meant I had to make changes and I did. Anyone can go through anything but you can either go up or stay down no matter what color you are.
you are correct
I think he had total recall of what his life could have been, what it is now, and where it going hereafter.
Yes. She set bond at $44K. If he kills someone while on bond, they will ask her why not set up bond at a higher amount or throw him in prison altogether. The fact that he is a criminal has no bearing on her duty to perform fairly.
Being poor is no excuse for failure.
American schools, mostly in black neighborhoods, are being shutdown, because of low enrollment. Our children are so disinterested in learning, some schools are buying them gym shoes, just to get them to show up.
Meanwhile, barefooted children in Africa and India are walking miles through treacherous terrain to get an education, because they know it’s their only way out of their bad situation.
We can’t all be Oprah, but we can all be our best selves and the only way to achieve that, is to make good decisions.
wow this is deep.
Preach! I am proud of you AND your daughter!
Bad stuff happens to everyone, but it’s what we do after the trauma, that determines our success or failure.
You aren’t taking into account the mental aspects of poverty. Children aren’t just not showing up because they don’t want to learn. I could go into a whole dissertation about this but I’m its a holiday and I’m being lazy lol. Its so much more difficult than just making a decision. And as you know my personal ideology is conservative, so I understand the premise but you have to take into account human nature and how we are designed to work as human beings. I think about the solutions a lot. I’m on the nurture side of nature vs nurture but today…I’s tired ma’am.
He has abandonment and anger issues, but at his core, he’s a reliable and good-natured person. More importantly, he’s a fighter and I respect people who never give up.
Could you briefly explain the other reasons besides them not wanting to learn? Discouragement from their peers? Lack of self confidence? Call me close minded, but I really don’t see what else it could realistically be.
i’m so glad he succeeded against all odds, that’s horrible that so many blacks feel this way, what one does in the privacy of his or her bedroom is only a small portion of them as a whole and should not be open to judgement or ridicule by anyone.
but that seems like an excuse really, you have so many stories of people who come from very hard/rough beginnings who take the right steps in life and turn out ok, and then you have those who have the same beginnings and become a victim of their circumstances. So it’s truly what you want to do with your life & the steps that you take to make your dreams reality (e.g., going to school, getting good grades, landing that dream job).
but that seems like an excuse really, you have so many stories of people who come from very hard/rough beginnings who take the right steps in life and turn out ok, and then you have those who have the same beginnings and become a victim of their circumstances. So it’s truly what you want to do with your life & the steps that you take to make your dreams reality (e.g., going to school, getting good grades, landing that dream job).
One thing poverty breeds is ignorance. When people aren’t educated or don’t care about education for whatever reason(when your basic needs aren’t met some sh*t takes a back burner) they pass the same apathy down to their children.
That was as short and simple as I could make it. There are different variable and examples but I hope you get the gist of what I’m saying.
One thing poverty breeds is ignorance. When people aren’t educated or don’t care about education for whatever reason(when your basic needs aren’t met some sh*t takes a back burner) they pass the same apathy down to their children.
That was as short and simple as I could make it. There are different variable and examples but I hope you get the gist of what I’m saying.
white privilege is being a crackhead getting clean for a month and landing a nice job. white privilege is being given the benefit of a doubt. there are instance of white privilege everyday. if anything I suspect that you maybe a white troll trying to dismiss it. Dylan roof was caught a black kid would’ve been shot. white privilege.
white privilege is being a crackhead getting clean for a month and landing a nice job. white privilege is being given the benefit of a doubt. there are instance of white privilege everyday. if anything I suspect that you maybe a white troll trying to dismiss it. Dylan roof was caught a black kid would’ve been shot. white privilege.
Sadly, I have seen this scenario a million times.
When I was in my early 20s, a friend, who was 17 at time, asked me for advice on how to come out to his parents.
Because he was unemployed and still living at home, I told him to keep his mouth shut until he moved out.
However, he was convinced his parents would love him no matter what… he was wrong.
When he told his mother, she locked herself in her bedroom and wouldn’t talk to him. When his father came home, he beat him senseless, stripped him down to his underwear (because he paid for his clothes), and threw him in the streets, in the dead of winter.
5 months later, they found his body, burned, gagged, and shot up in some bushes.
His parents refused to let any of his friends attend the funeral.
Sadly, I have seen this scenario a million times.
When I was in my early 20s, a friend, who was 17 at time, asked me for advice on how to come out to his parents.
Because he was unemployed and still living at home, I told him to keep his mouth shut until he moved out.
However, he was convinced his parents would love him no matter what… he was wrong.
When he told his mother, she locked herself in her bedroom and wouldn’t talk to him. When his father came home, he beat him senseless, stripped him down to his underwear (because he paid for his clothes), and threw him in the streets, in the dead of winter.
5 months later, they found his body, burned, gagged, and shot up in some bushes.
His parents refused to let any of his friends attend the funeral.
oh that’s horrible, and u gave him good advice, i wish he had took it, he would probably be here today. So were the people responsible ever brought to justice??
oh that’s horrible, and u gave him good advice, i wish he had took it, he would probably be here today. So were the people responsible ever brought to justice??
No such thing. Look around you, hell look at the website you’re on. Do what you want to do and stop worrying about what you think white people are getting or not getting. Black people have to step away from this liberal plantation ideology. Its designed to keep you stuck.
No such thing. Look around you, hell look at the website you’re on. Do what you want to do and stop worrying about what you think white people are getting or not getting. Black people have to step away from this liberal plantation ideology. Its designed to keep you stuck.
I am hoping he changes his life around.
I am hoping he changes his life around.
His killer or killers were never found. When they found his body, another male corpse was discovered in the area. To this day, it’s unclear if the murders were related.
Before he died, he told me he was afraid of his boyfriend, an alleged drug dealer. I was told he was wearing his boyfriend’s clothes when they found him.
His killer or killers were never found. When they found his body, another male corpse was discovered in the area. To this day, it’s unclear if the murders were related.
Before he died, he told me he was afraid of his boyfriend, an alleged drug dealer. I was told he was wearing his boyfriend’s clothes when they found him.
oh wow, that sucks. i’m sorry to hear of his tragic demise. Thnx for sharing.
oh wow, that sucks. i’m sorry to hear of his tragic demise. Thnx for sharing.
She had to do her job regardless. A tear or two fell from my eyes but I hope he does get his life together .
She had to do her job regardless. A tear or two fell from my eyes but I hope he does get his life together .
hopefully this will wake him up & he can save his life & do something positive w/it.
hopefully this will wake him up & he can save his life & do something positive w/it.
Burglary and Theft bond is usually in that figure $10-50k when no weapons are involved from cases I’ve seen. Idk. Everyone deserves a chance. Hopefully he leave the drugs alone. She should have ordered that if he made bond as well (treatment or rehab)
Burglary and Theft bond is usually in that figure $10-50k when no weapons are involved from cases I’ve seen. Idk. Everyone deserves a chance. Hopefully he leave the drugs alone. She should have ordered that if he made bond as well (treatment or rehab)
Deep!
Deep!
Good point!
Good point!
Those were drug laced crocodile tears. He snapped out of that crying when she was done wanting to know his bail. GTFOH! He’ll be back.
I’m judging, really need to work on that.
Those were drug laced crocodile tears. He snapped out of that crying when she was done wanting to know his bail. GTFOH! He’ll be back.
I’m judging, really need to work on that.
Just keep being there for him.
Just keep being there for him.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Middle School, huh? Guess he didn’t make it to HS. ???
Middle School, huh? Guess he didn’t make it to HS. ???
you are twisting my words. im not worried about what white people are getting. but im not stupid. if you cant see white privilege then you are turning a blind eye to it.
you are twisting my words. im not worried about what white people are getting. but im not stupid. if you cant see white privilege then you are turning a blind eye to it.
He got a heart still. He can change. He can and I pray that was the wake up call God sent for him.
Exactly. Glad I’m not the only one who thought that cry was fake.
This just basically shows the economic disparities in our society.
Oh my Lord. I am so sorry my friend.
He can. With hard work, acceptance of the need to change, and prayer, anyone can change.
She was very fond of him. She said she always wonder what happened to him.
Ok..now I see the troll’s multiples are having full on conversation with each other..yep this is the usual.
He grew up in hell and she grew up a block away in heaven…smh takes me back to Good Times. Just trying to keep our head above water….
The further we get away from slavery? Are you aware of what took place in this country between emancipation and today? It was only 50 years ago that black Americans were given the same civil rights that whites had enjoyed for generations.
Well stated. Too many fail to take human nature into account; especially, when talking about black people. We’ve been conditioned (through generations of racism) to attribute anything negative a black person does to the entire black “community”,
Exactly.
They were at the same school, they had the same opportunities, look at the different choises they have made.
This is one of the most true statements every written in the history of professional sports. Thank you for acknowledging a woman who I believe is some sort of “lower divine” or goddess in human flesh.
it’s time to wake up “Hmmm”. Our intellect, knowledge built this empire, now all of a sudden we can’t pull up our pants or find something to do besides sell drv&s and destroy ourselves? Humm for real.
HE NEEDS TO GET HIS LIFE TOGETHER.
U betta tell it! He snapped quick! I wish she didn’t give him a bond smh
Lol. There are no gods, goddesses, or lower divinities. We all inhabit the same planet. God did not create a superior race of human beings called “celebrities”. Serena is extremely talented…that is all.
It’s a burglary charge not murder. I think she was fair and very professional. Tough situation. Maybe he will change. Like her, I wish him the best.
???
Exactly. The whole time the judge had a grin on her face. I wonder if she was thinking the same thing….crocodile tears but took a chance (risk) by giving him bond. Hopefully he decides to sit it out and not pay bond to clean up. We can only hope.
This is so true. After my childhood I could have played the victim, blamed my parents for my choices and just given up but God made me a fighter to the core. I wanted to be successful for myself but I’m not going to lie, I also wanted to be successful so I could look those same people who tried to destroy me when I wasn’t old enough to defend myself and was too damaged to realize I was being taken advantage of, in the face and show them that they didn’t break me. Playing the victim usually leads to you being victimized even more so the cycle continues. Self investment, self love and self forgiveness is the biggest and best payback.
Preach!!!!!
Well-said and very inspirational words.
Thank you
True words, if I say so my self. No one is above the next man….
lovelygamour you took the word out of my mouth. This person sounds like a white troll. They stay trolling off black pages ever so dismissive. Its easier to say its about a person’s choice when you’ve never had to worry about being pre-judged at the first glance
Really?Only??? I hope I can get more of your??? I do enjoy them
Recuse herself from what? It’s a bond hearing not a trial…
Nice…lol.
This is not relevent to the cxase, but she should recuse herself……