George W. Greer (born 1942) is a retired Florida circuit judge who served in the Pinellas-Pasco County Circuit Court, family law division, in Clearwater, Florida. He received national attention in 2005 when he presided over the Terri Schiavo case.
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Early life and education
Born in 1942 in Brooklyn, New York, Greer grew up in Dunedin, Florida. He received his Associate degree from St. Petersburg Junior College in 1962, his Bachelor's degree from Florida State University at Tallahassee in 1964, and his Law degree from the University of Florida's College of Law in Gainesville in 1966.
Career
Greer is a Republican who was once a member of a Southern Baptist Church.
Greer became a commissioner of Pinellas County as a Republican in 1984. He was first elected to the probate judgeship in 1992 on a nonpartisan ballot, and was reëlected in 1998 and again in 2004. He retired in 2010 when his term expired.
Terri Schiavo case
Greer received substantial attention in national and international media for his involvement in the Terri Schiavo case.
Because Greer's controversial decisions in the Schiavo case conflicted with the opinions of patrons at his church, the Calvary Baptist Church of Clearwater, Greer was asked by pastor William Rice to clarify his relationship with his church. Greer then withdrew his membership from the Calvary congregation.
In 2005 Greer was threatened with impeachment for his decisions in the Terri Schiavo case. Attorney Barry Cohen represented Judge Greer, who retained his position.
Hogan divorce case
Judge Greer presided over the 2008 divorce case of Hulk Hogan and his wife, Linda Bollea. On January 30, 2008, Greer denied Linda's motion to have Hulk's assets frozen.
Personal life
Greer is legally blind and cannot drive cars. His colleagues say his condition gives him a unique perspective on the rights of the impaired. During Greer's studies at Florida State, he was for a time a roommate of Jim Morrison, who later became lead vocalist of pop music group The Doors.
Awards
- The 2004 Clearwater Bar Association's highest honor, becoming the only judge to be so recognized on more than one occasion.
- The 2005 President's Award of Merit from the Florida Bar.
- The 2005 Benjamin Franklin Award by the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club. This award recognizes those in appointed or elected service who have exhibited extraordinary integrity, courage and achievement.
- The 2005 Special Justice Award from the Pasco Bar.
- The 2005 Jurist of the Year Award from the Florida Chapter American Board of Trial Advocates
- The 2005 Bay Area Champion of Justice Award, from the Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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