Pr. George's Judge Disputes Claim Of Clerical Error in Protective Order

Prince George's County's top District Court judge yesterday disputed the assertion that a clerical error caused a protective order to be dropped against the man who allegedly set his wife on fire last week.

The judge who dismissed the protective order, Richard A. Palumbo, contended this week through his attorney that it was not his intention to rescind the order against Roger B. Hargrave but that it was dissolved through a clerical mistake.

Chief Administrative Judge Thurman H. Rhodes disagreed, saying he believes Palumbo clearly dismissed the protective order during a Sept. 19 hearing.

"The clerk recorded what the judge did on the record," Rhodes said yesterday. "The clerk's office filed the entry correctly in terms of the judge's actions."

Rhodes oversees the administration of the District Court. Its clerks report to Administrative Clerk Mary Jones Abrams, who reports to him.

It is highly unusual for a judge to publicly criticize or question any statements made by a fellow judge sitting on the bench. Rhodes has no authority to sanction another judge.

On Oct. 10, three weeks after the protective order was dismissed, Hargrave allegedly went to the T-Mobile store in Clinton where Yvette Cade works, doused her with gasoline and set her on fire.

Cade, 31, is hospitalized with third-degree burns covering her face and more than half her upper body. She is breathing through a tube and blinking her eyes to communicate.

Hargrave, 33, of Temple Hills, is charged with attempted first-degree murder and assault. He is in jail on no-bond status.

Palumbo declined to comment yesterday, as did his attorney, William C. Brennan.

Earlier this week, Brennan said the dismissal of the protective order occurred through a clerical error, although he did not specify whether the mistake was Palumbo's or that of a courtroom clerk.

"That's not my position," Rhodes said yesterday. He declined to release the name of the clerk in the courtroom that day.