Afternoon Briefs: Judge reprimanded for yelling; prosecutor wants nearly 800 cases tossed
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Judge reprimanded for yelling at former supporters
Judge William Maruszczak of Pennsylvania has received a public reprimand for “loudly and publicly berating former supporters who had changed their support to his election opponent.” Maruszczak will also have to submit to a psychological assessment to assess impulse control and anger-related issues. If treatment is recommended, he must complete it during a one-year probationary period. (Law360, Oct. 4 order by Pennsylvania’s Court of Judicial Discipline)
Prosecutor begins asking courts to toss nearly 800 cases
Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby has begun asking courts to throw out nearly 800 cases tied to 25 police officers she no longer trusts. Eight of the officers were convicted of racketeering crimes for stealing money from citizens, lying on paperwork, and being paid for work they didn’t do. The former officers implicated most of the other officers. (The Baltimore Sun, the Associated Press)
Controversial former attorney general Edwin Meese to receive Medal of Freedom
President Donald Trump will award the Medal of Freedom on Tuesday to Edwin Meese III, who was counselor to President Ronald Reagan and attorney general in his administration. A White House statement called Meese “a thought leader and strong conservative voice on matters of law and policy.” Critics point to an independent counsel investigation into Meese’s role in an Iraqi pipeline deal (no charges were filed) and suggestions that he tried to cover up the Iran-Contra scandal (he denied it). (White House announcement, NPR, Newsweek)
2 law firms help Innocence Project clear huge backlog
The Innocence Project is close to clearing a backlog of more than 5,000 applications for help, thanks to work by lawyers from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom as well as Weil, Gotshal & Manges. More than 700 lawyers were involved in the initiative over a four-year period. The Innocence Project focuses on reversing convictions with DNA evidence. (The American Lawyer)
