The Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission has charged a black circuit judge with six counts of misconduct. This was after the judge was alleged of a series of racially charged public comments toward a prosecutor.
According to ABC NEWS, the charges stemmed from a month-long public dispute between Jefferson Circuit Judge Olu Stevens and Commonwealth Attorney Thomas Wine, who is white. The Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission found out that Stevens violated the judicial canons.
He publicly alleged that Wine wants "all-white juries," which was a suggestion Wine has strongly denied. However, the judge's lawyer, Larry Wilder, stated that his client is a "passionate man."
His client allegedly believed that he was just exercising his First Amendment right to free speech by drawing attention to important issues. "At what point do judges relinquish their rights to speak publically about important matters when they take the bench?" the lawyer added.
Chron reported that the trial started in November 2014 when Stevens dismissed a jury panel. This was because he said it did not represent a true cross-section of the community.
Wine also asked the Supreme Court to review whether Stevens had the legal authority to discharge the jury. The conduct commission's report noted that Stevens took to his Facebook page to raise the question about Wine's motives. He even suggested there was "something much more sinister" behind his motivations and said Wine "will live in infamy."
Moreover, the judge repeatedly expressed his criticism to the elected prosecutor at a presentation at a Louisville Bar Association meeting. He again accused that Wine "will live in infamy and he will be the butt of every prosecutor's jokes."
He also criticized the Lousiville Metro Public Defender and other defense attorneys for not publicly taking his side during the fight. He even called them "hypocrites" for remaining silent.
Wine sought the Supreme Court to review Stevens' comments. He alleged that his "extreme distaste" for Wine would make it impossible for him to hear cases fairly and neutrally. The Supreme Court also disconnected Stevens from a few criminal trials and directed the case to the conduct commission, as claimed by BRISTOL Herald Courier.
Meanwhile, a hearing is set to be scheduled in April 9. By that time, the commission will decide whether Stevens should be temporarily suspended.
