Controversial Judge Has Her Backers

Two shows of support were held last week for a Queens judge who, for the past two weeks, has been at the center of controversy after helping a defendant elude police.
On Thursday morning, members of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care and the New York branches of the NAACP, as well as Councilmen Leroy Comrie and James Sanders, took to the steps of the Kew Gardens Courthouse to protest Judge Laura Blackburnes transfer from overseeing criminal cases at the Queens Supreme Court to civil cases, pending an investigation into actions in her courtroom on June 15.
Shouting, "Hands off our judge," those at the rally said Blackburne had been convicted before all the facts had been presented. A few hours later, on the steps of City Hall, Councilman Charles Barron led a second rally for the Blackburne.
"Part of our support for Judge Blackburne was to have due process," said Ken Cohen, head of the northeast Queens NAACP chapter. He added that, though an investigation is proceeding, some of the judges rights have been violate, because she was the chief law enforcement official in her courtroom at the time of the incident.
On June 10, Blackburne instructed Derek Sterling, who was appearing before her to give an update on his drug treatment program, to leave through a side door, after the judge learned that Detective Leonard Devlin intended to arrest the defendant on unrelated charges of burglary. Blackburne said Devlin misrepresented himself, telling the judge he only wanted to speak with Sterling.
Following what transpired, the Police Benevolent Association held a news conference demanding the jurists removal, stating she aided a criminals escape from the law. On June 14, the state and county administrative judge reassigned Blackburne to civil court and opened a judicial investigation.
Blackburne has a history of controversial decisions, including throwing out a 13-count indictment on a man alleged to have shot a police officer. Those at the rally believe she is being pursued by her detractors for these past decisions.
"Many people seem to be focusing on the past to substantiate their challenges even the current charges," said Cohen.