Black Defendant Granted New Trial After Judge Says He “Looks Like a Criminal”
Black Defendant Granted New Trial After Judge Says He “Looks Like a Criminal”
In a case that underscores the significance of impartiality in the judicial system, a Black defendant, Leron Liggins, has been granted a new trial following a 3-0 decision by a penal of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. The decision was based on the controversial comments made by U.S. District Judge Stephen J. Murphy III during a January 2020 hearing. The judge’s remarks, which included the statement that Liggins “looks like a criminal,” sparked accusations of bias and prejudgment, leading to questions about the fairness of the trial proceedings.
