Keller @ Large: Remy Case Requires Response From Judges

BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Globe's report on accused murderer Jared Remy's extensive history of violence contains many appalling details. And it certainly looks like there's plenty of blame to go around for that.

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But among the most disturbing threads of the story is the way judge after judge after judge turned a proven-violent predator loose over the objections of prosecutors, even after he committed major probation violations.

This is a serious failure of the criminal justice system that requires an immediate and detailed response from the judges in question.

But here's another very disturbing line from the Globe story: "A judiciary spokeswoman this month said…[the] judges could not comment on any case involving Remy."

No. They just don't want to.

There is nothing in the state Code of Judicial Conduct that bars these judges from responding.

While they are required to avoid comment on pending court cases, there is no reason they couldn't address the past cases documented by the Globe. To suggest that as long as Jared Remy is interacting with the justice system they are prohibited from answering questions is to write themselves a lifetime pass from accountability.

I volunteer to come interview any of these judges who'd like to share their reasons for repeated leniency for such a bad actor. Doing so would be in compliance with repeated encouragement to judges to educate the public about what they do in the Code of Judicial Conduct.

But excuse me if I don't hold my breath while I'm waiting.

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.

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