Back in 2012 Mark Fuller, a U.S. District Court judge in Alabama, and Lisa Boyd Fuller were divorcing. Lisa Boyd Fuller had some things she wanted mentioned, like domestic violence, substance abuse, drunk driving, and affairs, particularly one with his court’s bailiff, Kelli Gregg.

What was said on these matters is unclear, since Fuller got the circuit court to seal the records, saying it was for the safety of his family. Boyd Fuller objected, saying her soon-to-be ex “was guilty of marital misconduct and is attempting to shield himself from… public scrutiny.” She got nowhere with that.

Fuller had some reason to be worried about public scrutiny, since he has been strongly criticized on non-marital grounds.

For example, Fuller has been criticized for his role in the infamous trial of former Alabama governor Don Siegelman, a Democrat whom many say was wrongfully prosecuted, possibly at the instigation of Karl Rove. Siegelman was convicted on corruption charges, and currently rots, I mean resides, in federal prison. (He has an appeal this month.)

In the Siegelman case, Fuller ignored his conflicts of interest, and refused to recuse himself. (Like what conflicts? Kids in the same soccer league? No – as Governor, Siegelman had spurred investigation of Fuller’s unethical financial practices as District Attorney. Happens. Fuller said he could be fair.)

Fuller wouldn’t let the defense present evidence of prosecutorial misconduct. When the jury deadlocked twice, Fuller told them to come back with a verdict if they didn’t want a “lifetime job” as jurors. Fuller sentenced Siegelman to an unprecedented prison term of 7+ years, sending him off in handcuffs and manacles.

Lots of annoying media resulted. Including a piece on 60 Minutes. Still, the 60 Minutes segment magically didn’t air in Alabama. Technical difficulties.

The Fuller divorce went through, with sealed records, and surprise! Mark Fuller married Kelli Gregg, the court worker with whom he’d allegedly been stepping out. Happy ending for those two, right?

Recently, things went awry in this marriage. That became public in August when a panicked Kelli Fuller called 911 from an Atlanta hotel room. She said she needed help because her husband was beating her, and asked for an ambulance. Worrying thuds can be heard in the 911 recording.

When police arrived, Kelli Fuller answered the door. She had cuts on her face, and told police Mark Fuller had hit her in the face, pulled her hair, thrown her to the ground, dragged her around and kicked her.

Just because she’d accused him of having an affair with his law clerk.

Mark Fuller was lying on the bed. He told police she had thrown her drink at him while he was watching TV.

Thrown her drink!

He had merely grabbed her hair and thrown her down in self-defense. Must have worked, as he had no injuries.

There was broken glass and torn hair on the floor, and blood in the bathroom. Kelli Fuller was treated by paramedics.

Fuller wanted to keep it quiet. Worked before.

At first the incident seemed to pass with little notice. In September Fuller got a pretrial diversion deal whereby he would take counseling and alcohol treatment classes, and have his charge expunged. The judge also cautioned him not to have “violent contact” with his wife.

“I look forward to completing the family counseling that I voluntarily began several weeks ago and to successfully completing the requirements of the diversion,” Fuller said.

Fuller issued a statement, which some called an apology. “This incident has been very embarrassing to me, my family, friends and the court. I deeply regret this incident and look forward to working to resolve these difficulties with my family, where they should be resolved.”

That’s not an apology. Not even a bad apology.

We keep telling people: the word “regret” doesn’t make an apology. To regret is to be sad about, but without taking responsibility. This is why when someone is angry about something you did, and you say you regret it, THEY ARE STILL ANGRY.

Once again, Fuller invokes his need for privacy and secrecy. In his earlier divorce, records had to be sealed to keep his family safe. Now he needs privacy to resolve difficulties “with my family, where they should be resolved.”

Privacy and secrecy protect Mark Fuller over others. Lisa Boyd Fuller fought against that “protection.” Kelli Gregg Fuller had to go outside the protective family circle when Mark Fuller was defending himself against the onslaught of her beverage. In each case friendly Alabama courts backed up the well-connected man.

Fuller has said he plans to get back to the judge’s bench when this is over. But more and more people – including Republican politicians – Alabama Republican politicians – are saying he should resign.

There was so much public discussion of the Ray Rice-Janay Rice domestic violence incident, such heightened awareness, and so many calls for heads to roll, that it hardly seemed reasonable that Judge Fuller could make his own domestic violence situation disappear into the privacy of “family.” Again.

And still preside as a federal judge.