Laura Blackburne removed from bench

Times Ledger ^ | 6/14/06 | Howard Koplowitz

[TET1968]

In a 5-2 decision, the state's highest court Tuesday ruled to permane tly remove controversial Queens Supreme Court Justice Laura Blackburne from

Blackburne, a Jamaica resident, allowed Derek Sterling, a drug treatment court defendant, to use a back stairwell only accessed by judges, jurors and court staff to evade arrest from a detective about an unrelated robbery back in 2004. In the New York State Court of Appeals' 20-page decision, the concurring opinion said Blackburne "placed herself above the law she was sworn to administer, thereby bringing the judiciary into disrepute and undermining public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of her court. "[Her] dangerous actions exceeded all measure of acceptable judicial conduct," the ruling stated. In her argument to the court, Blackburne suggested that censure would have been more appropriate and maintained that she allowed Sterling to leave "to protect the integrity of the Treatment Court."

[TET1968]

We are on a roll.

[NonLinear]

What a week!

[martin_fierro]

Her Dishonor.

[Xenalyte]

Two judges disagreed that Blackburne, who is black, should have been removed.

"No good reason exists to remove from the bench an outstanding jurist who has made one error in judgment," said Judge George Bundy Smith, who was in the minority and is the only black justice on the Court of Appeals. "While it is true that judges should set high standards, it is also true that judges are human and may err. An error in judgment by this judge... should not lead to removal."

Yes, Mr. Smith, looks like the Man is trying to stick it to you again. Too bad you're not a JUDGE or anything, so you could practice some hardcore judicial activism and fiat out laws you don't like.

[demkicker]

Our heavenly father is showering us with his blessings! Thank you, Lord.

[TET1968]

Congresswomen Cynthia McKinney next?

[NonLinear]

Do not expect Justice Laura Blackburne to subscribe to Reader's Digest anytime soon.

In its upcoming February edition, the magazine named the controversial Queens judge one of the nation's three worst jurists, awarding her the dubious distinction known as the Broken Gavel Award. Blackburne, who ordered a participant in a drug treatment program out of her court through a side door in June because she did not want him arrested by a waiting detective, joined a justice from Ohio and one from Kentucky on the list.

"It's a rare day in America when a sitting judge helps a criminal suspected of a violent crime flee a courtroom to elude a detective waiting to arrest him," the magazine staffers wrote in the article. A clerk at Blackburne's chambers said the judge had no comment on the ranking.

Source: http://gothamgazette.com/community/28/news/1144

[JoeSixPack1]

Blackburne, a Jamaica resident...

From the same little town that gave us Sheila Jackson Lee.

[Arpege92]

Na na na na...na na na na...hey hey hey goodbye! :-}

[TET1968]

Representative William Jefferson next ?

[rudabaga]

sheila jackson lee is from new york?

[SR 50]

Obstructing Justice, give her jail time.

Martha had to, why not Laura?

[JoeSixPack1]

Yep.. Jamaica High School graduate. Jamaica, Queens, NYC

[TET1968]

Clinton appointed chairman and chief executive officer of Fannie Mae, Franklin D. Raines, Next ?

[slykens]

I agree.

If you or I helped a fugitive escape we'd be charged with aiding and abetting.

I say charge her with the same and throw her in jail. Perhaps such an example will serve to discourage other "judges" from taking similar unlawful actions in the future. There's NO acceptable reason why she should be treated any differently than any of us "citizens".

[geezerwheezer]

This woman should have been removed long before now. She is a real danger to all, and has been for years.

[Al Gator]

She was removed only because of white racism... /sarc>

[dennisw]

Same as Michael Savage et moi

[isom35]

icing on the cake would be if her pension was removed.

[TET1968]

Rep. John P. Murtha, next?

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20060615-121822-1212r.htm