On Saturday, December 21, 2024, the Times Union reported that Erin P. Gall, a state Supreme Court justice in the Utica area, decided to resign rather than pursue an appeal against a state panel’s recommendation for her removal from the bench. This decision comes in the wake of a July 2022 incident where Gall allegedly threatened to shoot Black teenagers and made derogatory remarks about their intelligence during a confrontation at a graduation party.

Gall filed her motion to withdraw her appeal earlier this month with the state Court of Appeals, which was set to hear the case next month. The judge, a member of the Oneida County Republican Party, has one year remaining in her current term. She is scheduled to officially leave her position on January 1, 2025, and will be barred from holding any judicial office in the future.

In her motion, which was initially reported by the New York Law Journal, Gall cited the intense media scrutiny surrounding the case and the threats directed at her family as key reasons for her resignation. “The fear has been immeasurable and terrifying,” she stated, expressing concerns for her family’s safety should she continue with the appeal process. In recent weeks, Gall has been seeking new employment following the turmoil.

The recommendation for Gall’s removal was issued by the Commission on Judicial Conduct, which investigated her behavior during the incident at the New Hartford party. The confrontation began when uninvited guests, including a group of Black teenagers, arrived, prompting police involvement. Body camera footage captured much of the event, during which Gall reportedly asserted her authority as a judge, saying, “Get off the property! And that’s from Judge Gall! I’m a f__ing judge!”

The commission’s findings revealed that Gall’s remarks were directed at the teenagers, highlighting her repeated invocation of her judicial status during the altercation. She also expressed a willingness to physically confront the teens, stating, “Well, you’re going to get in an Uber, buddy, or you’re going to get a cop escort home. That’s how it’s happening.”

The incident escalated to the point where five police agencies were called to manage the situation. According to the commission’s report, during the altercation, a key to the teens’ vehicle was lost, leading to further complications. Gall allegedly warned police that if the teenagers returned to search for the key, she would “shoot them on the property.” She also made belittling comments regarding their future prospects in education.

Gall’s husband and son were present during the incident and reportedly participated in the confrontation. The commission’s report stated that Gall’s behavior during the incident undermined public confidence in the judiciary and her ability to serve impartially as a judge.

After the incident, Gall defended her actions, claiming that she was acting out of maternal instinct and emotional distress. She expressed remorse for her behavior but maintained that her comments were not motivated by racial bias. Her attorney noted that psychological evaluations indicated her conduct stemmed from a trauma response related to a past assault she experienced as a college student.

Gall had held her judicial position since 2012 and had a legal career dating back to 1997, with an annual salary of $232,600, which she continued to receive during her suspension. The Chief Judge of the state, Rowan Wilson, formally suspended her with pay following the commission’s recommendation for her removal.

The commission emphasized that Gall’s prolonged engagement in the chaotic situation and her conduct violated established rules of judicial conduct. The decision to resign marks the end of her tenure on the bench and closes a chapter in a case that has drawn significant public attention.

 

 

Source: Times Union