During a rape trial, a judge made inappropriate comments, causing outrage.
When entering a courtroom, many expect the judge to be fair, empathetic, and understanding of the victims’ trauma.
Judge John Russo Jr. behaved unacceptably towards a victim in a 2016 trial. He made disturbing remarks when a woman sought a restraining order against her assailant, as detailed by CBS News.
When the woman recounted the incident, the judge callously remarked, “Do you know how to prevent someone from having sex with you?”
She mentioned self-defense and escaping, to which Russo dismissively responded, “Running away, running away, yes, anything else?”
After the woman suggested those were her only options, Russo shockingly suggested, “Close your body parts? Close your legs? Call the police? Have you maybe tried these?”
Following her exit from the courtroom, witnesses reported that the judge laughed with colleagues, an act condemned by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner as “equally problematic.”
This incident occurred in 2016, adding to previous instances of Russo’s misconduct.
In a separate case involving a woman in a paternity dispute, Russo unprofessionally demanded her address over the phone and issued threats when she hesitated, fearing for her children’s safety, as per CNN.
When the woman expressed concern for her safety, Russo menacingly stated, “He’ll find you, ma’am. We’re all going to find you.”
Rabner characterized Russo’s remarks as “shocking” and reflective of his temperament.
In response to Russo’s conduct, Rabner highlighted the importance of judges setting a respectful tone, especially in cases of domestic violence and assault, which Russo failed to do, as outlined in a court report dated May 26.
Russo has been permanently suspended from presiding over trials by the New Jersey Supreme Court due to his repeated misconduct, with a unanimous decision made based on his inappropriate behavior, as reported by
