Roommates, do y’all remember Judge Olu Stevens? He made headlines twice for dismissing all-white juries which would have made for unfair trials against black people as well as expressing his belief that top Kentucky prosecutor, Tom Wine, is racist.
“I recognize how serious it is to accuse someone, either expressly or implicitly, of racism,” Stevens read from a statement. “I do not believe Tom Wine is a racist. I apologize for any statements that implied as much” and he says he acknowledges that, “directing my frustration at the victims of the crime was not the appropriate method or venue to address the subject.”
In April, Stevens was charged with judicial misconduct even after he tried to get the charges dismissed, citing his First Amendment rights had been violated since as a judge, he feels that he has a duty to challenge systematic racism and to uphold the constitution. The judge had been suspended with pay since April, however his 90 day suspension begins today and ends October 30th.
Wine accepted the judge’s apology and insisted that he and his staff would “continue to work for the fair administration of justice for all persons in Jefferson County, including diversity in our jury system.” Stevens declined further comments after the hearing today.
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Via: http://www.wdrb.com/story/32707705/state-officials-suspend-louisville-judge-olu-stevens-for-90-days-without-pay#.V6iJkusgfbs.facebook
