July 25th 2024.
The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct recently released a report that has caused quite a stir. It stated that a Supreme Court judge, Justice Erin Gall, should be removed from her position. The reason? Well, it's quite shocking. Apparently, Gall was caught on video threatening to shoot a group of Black teenagers at a graduation party.
The incident occurred on July 1, 2022, when Gall was seen on police body cam footage trying to use her authority to get uninvited Black guests arrested. She even went as far as threatening to shoot them. But things took an unexpected turn when a fight broke out at the party. The police officer at the scene informed Gall that he couldn't arrest anyone who had already left the property. This seemed to frustrate Gall, who then exclaimed that she would call the police when the teens returned to look for their lost car keys. She then went on to describe the consequences if the officers didn't find the trespassers first. "If they did, they'll be arrested, or they'll be shot on the property," Gall said.
The incident sparked outrage and caught the attention of the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, who launched an investigation into the matter. After two years of investigation, they concluded that Gall's behavior "created at least the appearance that she harbored racial bias," which is a serious concern for someone in a position of power. The commission further stated that her actions were not only improper but also severely undermined public confidence in the judiciary system and her ability to serve as a fair and impartial judge. As a result, they recommended her removal from the bench.
However, the investigation did not stop Gall from continuing her duties as a judge. She continued to preside over cases in Oneida County while the investigation was ongoing. It was only after the commission's decision that she was suspended with pay. This means that she is still receiving her $232,600 annual salary while awaiting the final decision from the Court of Appeals, the highest court.
The fight that led to all this drama happened at a friend's house of Gall's. While trying to direct the officers on who to arrest, one of them reminded her that she wasn't even at her own home. However, Gall argued that it was still her jurisdiction. It was later revealed that her husband and 18-year-old son were involved in the violence, and she even bragged about her son's involvement, stating that he "put the smackdown" on another partygoer. "My husband and son got hit first...but they finished. Like I taught 'em," Gall proudly declared.
During her testimony during the investigation, Gall alluded that the fight triggered a memory of a traumatic experience she had in college. Her lawyer claimed that she was in a state of fear, frustration, and exhaustion when she made the threatening comments. However, the Commission's Administrator, Robert Tembeckjian, released a statement saying that someone of Gall's caliber should know better and that her behavior is enough to warrant her removal. He further added that it is unacceptable for a judge to exhibit racial prejudice, threaten gun violence, promise favorable treatment for the police, or disparage a law that aims to keep guns away from dangerous individuals. "Any one of these things would undermine public confidence in the administration of justice," Tembeckjian stated.
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