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I think the inability or unwillingness of the two judges so far to hear anything that the defense has to say, whether in motions or open court and their willingness to abide the prosecutor and his slams of the opposing attorneys in open court are telling. I think the Durham judges backed out because of Nifong and his control of the calendar.

Yes, they probably recognized the rulings that they were going to have to make would have an impact on their futures as judges. I am sure some or all of them aspire to higher judgeships. If they don't get reelected those opportunities diminish. If they are overturned in their rulings by higher courts to many times those opportunities diminish as well. It might be that a whole lot of CYA was going on in this to the defenses advantage.

I am reminded of the article which quoted many judges as saying they were punished for their rulings against the DA.