Judge Censured For Presiding Over Trial Of Spitter

An Oregon judge was censured for presiding over a case where the defendant, a jail inmate, was accused of a felony offense because he had spit on a prison guard. The judge’s brother was a guard at the same prison. The defendant waived his right to a jury trial. Then, the judge called counsel into chambers and advised them of his brother’s employment. He asked defense counsel not to disclose the information to his client. Defense counsel told the client after the judge had found him guilty. The conviction was vacated. (Mike Frisch)