Brevard Circuit Judge Robin C. Lemonidis received a public reprimand from the Florida Supreme Court Wednesday over allegations that she lost her temper in a trial and used a sentencing colloquy to voice a desire to see the defendant fight for his life or die in prison.

Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady said the judge had damaged the public's trust and confidence in the judiciary.

"Instead of showing the patience required a judge, you assumed an aggressive, adversarial tone and demeanor," Canady said. "You loudly struck your gavel, you made facial gestures and you took other actions to show your annoyance. Your behavior reached a point that a juror in the trial commented on your perceived dislike of the defense counsel."

Canady said that comment from the juror should have prompted Lemonidis to reign in her behavior, but it did not.

Lemonidis found herself in hot water after failing to address participants in State v. Skyler Francis by their surnames, and using adversarial facial expressions, tone and demeanor toward the attorney and his client. The judge "repeatedly and loudly struck her gavel" while admonishing the defense at least five times, according to a high court ruling.

The Judicial Qualifications Commission accused the judge in August 2019 of violating Judicial Canons 1, 2A, 3B(4) and 3B(5), which govern integrity and independence of the judiciary, the appearance of impropriety and adjudicative responsibilities.

In another case, State v. Anthony Welch, the defendant was facing the death penalty in a retrial of the penalty phase after pleading guilty to two counts of first-degree murder. After listening to impact statements from victims' family members, Lemonidis told the defendant she "cannot disagree with a single thing" one person said, and that, among other things, "I do hope you do fight for your life every minute of every day. And that would be the only reason that I would hope your life is any longer than six weeks."

Canady said Lemonidis' "insults and abuse" toward the defendant degraded the solemnity of sentencing proceedings.

"Although the law required a life sentence based on the jury's recommendation, you made remarks suggesting that the defendant was not worthy," Canady said. "You commented on the defendant's 'miserable life' and then you said that you hoped the defendant would fight for his life every minute of every day."

Related story: 'Your Life is Not Worthy': Reprimand for Florida Judge Over Treatment of Defendants

Lemonidis has agreed to stress-management counseling and admitted that her conduct was inappropriate—gestures Canady acknowledged. Lemonidis thanked the justices before leaving the courtroom.

Lemonidis and her attorney Warren Lindsey of Lindsey & Ferry in Winter Park did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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