Detroit-Area Judge Suspended 60 Days By Court
DETROIT (AP/WWJ) — The Michigan Supreme Court has suspended a Detroit-area judge for 60 days for misconduct.
Wayne County Circuit Judge Bruce Morrow's suspension is 30 days shorter than the recommendation from the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission. In a 5-2 decision, the court says a lighter punishment was appropriate because he didn't personally benefit from the misconduct.
Morrow was accused of unusual conduct in certain criminal cases. In one matter, he escorted a criminal from a lockup and sentenced him without any deputies present. In another case, he refused to send a convict to jail to await sentencing in a sexual assault case, despite a law requiring it.
The Michigan Supreme Court issued the suspension for what they called disregarding the law in a 2009 criminal case where he closed the courtroom and expelled family members.
Morrow says he acted in "good faith and due diligence."
Chief Justice Robert Young Jr. was in favor of a 90-day suspension. Justice Michael Cavanagh preferred a reprimand.
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