The impeachment of Judge Chatigny should proceed forthwith. After his rebuff by the SCOTUS, Judge Chatigny bullied Ross' attorney by threatening his livlihood. Such extrajudicial coercion is improper and probably illegal. The defense attorney was cowed, the fiat of the Supreme Court negated, the findings of the trial court, its jury, and all subsequent rulings about the righteousness of this verdict and sentence have been cast aside by this arrogant judge. His "personal" position regarding the death penalty has been permitted to hold sway over precedent and law. Chatigny thus disgraces the bench by his wanton disregard for the victims' families and the legitimate power of the Connecticut legislature. Don't those long suffering souls deserve a measure of justice? Do not the lawmakers and governor rate some respect by the Court. In the zealotry of his elitist and myopic crusade, he direspects the will of the people themselves.
GOP Legislators Seek Action Against Chatigny
February 3, 2005
By JON LENDER, CHRISTOPHER KEATING, And EDMUND H. MAHONY Courant Staff Writers Top legislative Republicans in Hartford Wednesday asked a congressional committee to investigate what they called "a grievous example of judicial misconduct" by Chief U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny - whose actions last week led to the postponement of serial killer Michael Ross' execution.
"We strongly urge your committee to investigate the matter fully, and to commence proceedings to redress this misconduct, including the [judge's] possible removal from office," state Republican General Assembly leaders wrote in a letter to U.S. Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner Jr., R-Wis., chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-chatigny0203.artfeb03,0,4831389.story?coll=hc-headlines-local