Court acts against judges for remarks in sex assault cases

By DAVID PORTER
July 17, 2019

New Jersey’s high court took action Wednesday against two judges who have faced criticism over their comments in cases involving sexual assault.

New Jersey’s Supreme Court recommended that state Superior Court Judge John Russo Jr . be removed from the bench. Russo asked a woman during a 2016 hearing if she could have closed her legs to prevent a sexual assault, and joked about the exchange later with court personnel.

Also Wednesday, the court terminated the temporary assignment of a judge who declined to order a 16-year-old rape suspect tried in adult court because the youth came “from a good family.”

State Superior Court Judge James Troiano asked whether the suspect should face serious consequences over a video-recorded assault on an intoxicated teenager. Troiano is retired but had been recalled to serve in Monmouth County.

The Troiano case and another involving a judge who also declined to waive a 16-year-old’s sexual assault case to adult court prompted strong criticism in recent weeks after the comments came to light. Both decisions were reversed by appeals courts.

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