In Find Me Guilty, at the beginning of the trial, Judge Finestein had little empathy for Jackie DiNorscio. This can be shown by the Judge slapping first a $5000 then upping it to $10000 fine for Contempt of Court. He also is more apt to sustain the Prosecutor's objections.
By the end of the trial, the Judge appears very sympathetic to Jackie D., for example, the way he expresses complete understanding and remorse for Jackie when DiNorscio's mother passes. IIRC, he overrules objections by the Prosecutor and sustains the Defenses, esp Jackie D's.
I never get the feeling that the 'mob' bought the Judge, but rather he has become more sympathetic towards them, again especially concerning Jackie.
Can anyone site specific (objective) examples of what precipitates this change of heart?