![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/black-mans-conviction-overturned-after-judge-says-he-looks-like-a-criminal-to-me/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1_DNP_CHP_050823Slug_10736-D.jpg&description=The white judge in Detroit claimed he was fed up with what he perceived to be the defendent's time wasting. He said: 'I'm tired of this case. I'm tired of this defendant. I'm tired of getting the runaround.' The conviction of a Black man has been thrown out after the judge said the defendant "looks like a criminal to me". Suspected drug dealer Leroy Liggins had his conviction overturned by an appeals court on Thursday which said his rights were violated by the white Detroit federal judge. 'Such remarks are wholly incompatible with the fair administration of justice,' the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals said. US District Judge Stephen Murphy III apologised nearly two years later when the case against Leron Liggins finally was ready for trial. He explained that he was mad at the time 'and I regret it.' Nonetheless, the appeals court said Judge Murphy should have removed himself as Mr Liggins' attorney had requested. The court threw out a heroin distribution conviction and 10-year prison sentence and ordered a new trial with a different judge. Allowing the conviction to stand 'would substantially undermine the public's confidence in the judicial process,' 6th Circuit Judge Eric Clay said in a 3-0 opinion. Prosecutors said the remark was a reference to Liggins' alleged conduct, not his appearance. But the appeals court said a 'reasonable observer' could interpret it differently. 'Among the many disparaging remarks about Liggins that the district judge made, the most troubling is that Liggins 'looks like a criminal to me,'' the appellate court opinion said. Regardless of Judge Murphy's 'intended meaning, we must consider the interpretation that a reasonable observer of this public hearing could have made, for we must guard against not only actual bias but also the appearance of bias, which 'demeans the reputation and integrity' of the court of which the district judge is a part,' the appellate court said. Judge Murphy said he lost his composure in 2020 after Liggins repe){kind=link}
The white judge in Detroit claimed he was fed up with what he perceived to be the defendent’s time wasting. He said: ‘I’m tired of this case. I’m tired of this defendant. I’m tired of getting the runaround.’
The conviction of a Black man has been thrown out after the judge said the defendant “looks like a criminal to me”.
Suspected drug dealer Leroy Liggins had his conviction overturned by an appeals court on Thursday which said his rights were violated by the white Detroit federal judge. “Such remarks are wholly incompatible with the fair administration of justice,” the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals said.
US District Judge Stephen Murphy III apologised nearly two years later when the case against Leron Liggins finally was ready for trial. He explained that he was mad at the time “and I regret it.” Nonetheless, the appeals court said Judge Murphy should have removed himself as Mr Liggins’ attorney had requested. The court threw out a heroin distribution conviction and 10-year prison sentence and ordered a new trial with a different judge.
Allowing the conviction to stand “would substantially undermine the public’s confidence in the judicial process,” 6th Circuit Judge Eric Clay said in a 3-0 opinion. Prosecutors said the remark was a reference to Liggins’ alleged conduct, not his appearance. But the appeals court said a “reasonable observer” could interpret it differently.