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Tampa Judge Jokes With God

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By THOMAS KRAUSE and KATE CALDWELL

Published: June 26, 2008

TAMPA -- After a long court docket this morning, Judge Walter Heinrich scratched his head as he called the last case.

"Is this a nickname?" he asked the defendant. "I've never seen that before."

God Lucky Howard, 39, told the judge the names were given to him. He is held in the Orient Road Jail on eight cocaine-related charges including delivery of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a church. Records show that Howard is self-employed as a mortgage broker.

Heinrich picked up the file and wryly asked why Howard was in court.

"To see if you're getting into heaven?" Heinrich quipped. "Just kidding."

It turned out that Howard's attorney was expected to ask for a reduction in Howard's $86,500 bail. The attorney, Alex Stavrou, however, was not present.

Stavrou showed a little late, and the hearing was postponed until Monday.

Howard might get some additional notoriety because of his unusual name. Stavrou said he has been contacted by representatives with the television show "The Moment of Truth" on the Fox network. On the show, contestants are placed on a lie detector machine and asked questions about their lives. They want Howard to make an appearance.

Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tkrause@tampatrib.com.

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