LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission has charged a black circuit judge with six counts of misconduct for a series of racially charged public comments.
The charges largely stem from a months-long public feud between Jefferson Circuit Judge Olu Stevens and Commonwealth Attorney Thomas Wine, who is white. The commission found that Stevens violated judicial canons when he alleged in a Facebook posting that Wine is a racist who wants "all-white juries."
The commission also found he violated the rules when he publically called defense attorneys "hypocrites" for not taking his side.
A hearing is scheduled for April 19, when the commission will decide whether Stevens should be temporarily suspended.
Stevens' lawyer Larry Wilder said he is a "passionate man" who believed he was fulfilling his legal obligations by speaking out.
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