Tag Archives: Recusal

Federal Judge Subject to In-Court Death Threat by Criminal Defendant Not Required to Recuse Himself from Sentencing, Holds Split Seventh Circuit Panel

In United States v. Walsh, No. 21-1220 (7th Cir. Aug. 24, 2022), a 2-1 panel holds that a federal district court did not abuse its discretion in denying recusal from sentencing a criminal defendant who made a direct and credible death threat against the judge, his family, and court employees in court. “At 71 yearsContinue reading “Federal Judge Subject to In-Court Death Threat by Criminal Defendant Not Required to Recuse Himself from Sentencing, Holds Split Seventh Circuit Panel”

Sixth Circuit Affirms Denial of Recusal Motion, But “With Some Concerns” About Judge’s Ex Parte Letter to Attorney

In Alemarah v. General Motors, LLC, No. 20-1346 (6th Cir. Nov. 18, 2020) (per curiam), the panel affirms summary judgment in an employment discrimination case, but pauses over the district court judge’s “out of the ordinary” ex parte letter to one of the lawyers. The judge’s letter was prompted by the lawyer’s reticence about stagingContinue reading “Sixth Circuit Affirms Denial of Recusal Motion, But “With Some Concerns” About Judge’s Ex Parte Letter to Attorney”