On Thursday, January 9, 2025, Spectrum News 1 reported that the New York State Court of Appeals has officially removed Oneida County Judge Erin Gall following her involvement in a disruptive incident at a high school graduation party in 2022. The court’s decision aligns with a recommendation from the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which suggested her removal in July 2024.

The incident occurred on July 1, 2022, during a graduation celebration at a friend’s residence in New Hartford, where Gall attended with her husband and three teenage children. As the party progressed, uninvited guests began to arrive, leading to confrontations between invited attendees and the newcomers. Among those who entered were four Black teenagers, who reportedly learned about the gathering through a live video feed. Tensions escalated, resulting in arguments and physical altercations.

According to reports, law enforcement agencies were called to the scene to manage the situation. Body camera footage captured Gall’s conduct, where she addressed the Black teenagers, insisting they leave the premises and threatening to involve the police if they did not comply. Gall was recorded stating, “You got to leave! You’re not going to find your keys. You got to call an Uber and get off the property.” She further asserted her authority, proclaiming, “That’s how it’s happening. That’s what I’m telling you right now. That’s how I roll. That’s how Judge Gall rolls.”

In her attempts to have the teenagers arrested for trespassing, Gall claimed her extensive experience as a lawyer and judge, stating, “I’ve done this for a million years. I’m a lawyer. I’m a judge. I know this.” Her actions and language during the incident raised concerns regarding potential racial bias, as noted in the commission’s findings.

The commission concluded that Gall’s behavior not only appeared to exhibit racial bias but also risked undermining public trust in her judicial integrity. During the investigation, Gall described how the chaotic events at the party reminded her of a violent incident she experienced as a college student in 1990.

Gall has served as an elected judge in Oneida County since 2012. The decision to remove her from the bench marks a significant response to the incident, highlighting the expectations of judicial conduct and the serious implications of a judge’s actions in public settings.

 

 

Source: Spectrum News 1