On Tuesday, September 12, 2023, the New York Post reported that a New York judge named Robert J. Putorti may be dismissed from his position for brandishing a loaded firearm at a defendant during a court proceeding. Judge Putorti contends that he acted out of fear, but the Commission on Judicial Conduct (CJC) argues that his actions were unwarranted and infringed upon the rights of the defendant.
According to reports, Putorti pulled the gun on a “large black man” who was rushing towards the bench during a court hearing in 2015. The judge’s lawyer, Nate Riley, argues that Putorti had a “subjective fear” of the defendant and was simply trying to protect himself. However, the CJC lawyer, Robert Tembeckjian, counters that there has never been a situation where a judge brandished a loaded weapon in court without justification and that Putorti’s actions were a clear violation of ethical standards.
This has sparked outrage and concerns about racial bias in the judiciary. The fact that Putorti mentioned the defendant’s race when recounting the incident has raised questions about whether he showed a racial bias against the defendant. Justice Shirley Troutman and Justice Rowan Wilson expressed skepticism about Riley’s argument that the adjective “black” was only meant to describe the man and didn’t show prejudice on Putorti’s part.
The case has also highlighted the higher standard of conduct expected of judges. Justices Anthony Cannataro and Troutman noted that judges have a responsibility to maintain impartiality and public confidence in the judiciary. The fact that Putorti was reelected after the incident doesn’t necessarily mean that the public has confidence in him, Troutman pointed out.
Furthermore, Tembeckjian argued that Putorti’s actions demonstrate a lack of judgment and decorum expected of a judge. In addition to the gun incident, Putorti allegedly broke the rule of leveraging a judgeship to raise money by fundraising for the Elks Lodge on his Facebook page while he was being investigated.
The judges will issue a ruling on Putorti’s fate at a later date. However, the case has already sparked a much-needed conversation about judicial conduct, racial bias, and the need for higher standards in the judiciary. It’s clear that judges have a responsibility to maintain impartiality and protect the rights of all individuals who appear before them, regardless of their race or any other factor. The public must have confidence in the judiciary, and any actions that undermine that confidence must be taken seriously.
Source: New York Post
