Over and over again during the Read trial I posted on X my view that the judge frequently violated the 6th amendment rights of Karen Read on certain rulings. In those posts I wrote, "The 6th amendment is on life support in that courtroom."
The fact that the defense team with @BostonDefender was able to overcome the odds often stacked against them by those rulings is nothing short of amazing. I wrote last week that Jackson's closing was brilliant and it would be a delusion to think otherwise. On Boston25 I spoke about this after the verdict came down. After 20 years on the bench and now teaching Constitutional Law, I stand by every one of those statements I made.
I promised followers on X that I would speak out about the specifics of why I viewed there to be a lack of impartiality at times during the trial soon. I will keep that promise when I find the right forum.
Having filed many motions and conducted many lengthy evidentiary hearings (both pretrial motions to dismiss and post-conviction motions to vacate and usually on murder cases) based upon Brady and discovery violations, it is astounding to me that this portion of the motion was resolved without a hearing. Equally astounding is the court simply "crediting" as "fact" the unsworn, self-serving statements by prosecutors in a memo of law, in which they conveniently blamed an already disgraced former trooper for all of the problems, which is not even legally significant. Moreover, those unsworn assertions are not "facts" given the manner in which the DA responded. Most courts would accept the defense facts as unrebutted in these circumstances. The lack of analysis on whether that disgraced trooper and/or the prosecutors intentionally suppressed or delayed disclosure is remarkable. The court's failure to consider the "materiality" and impact on the jury if they had known about Proctor stuffing the video in his pocket for 2 years or that important video was not disclosed is amazing. This motion screamed for a full-blown evidentiary hearing. Instead, the ruling appears to suggest "we have a new trial so all is good." Massachusetts!
Yesterdayโs Read Hearings exposed a deeply troubling breakdown in judicial integrity. Judge Cannoneโs rulings defy logic and fairness, raising serious questions about impartiality.
First, she deemed the defenseโs misrepresentations regarding ARCCA material, repetitive, intentional, and flagrantโyet imposed no sanctions and permitted ARCCA to testify. This alone strains credulity.
Then, at sidebar, allegations surfaced that the prosecution coordinated with witnesses to intimidate the jury through courtroom presenceโa potential act of egregious misconduct. Where is the courtโs alarm? Meanwhile, Brennanโs apparent misrepresentations escape scrutiny entirely. Why does Judge Cannone hold the defense to account but not the prosecution?
Further, the stalled motion to dismiss lingers without action or an evidentiary hearingโwhy the delay? The defense is consistently forced to clarify motions in writing, yet the prosecution faces no such burden. And Judge Cannoneโs frequent interruptions target only the defense, never the prosecution, revealing a stark double standard.
Why must the defense plead for a chance to question the prosecution's experts during voir dire and even be denied in Dr. Crosby's case, while the prosecution gets free rein to relentlessly interrogate the defense's experts?
This pattern is not just unbelievableโitโs indefensible. How can this judge be viewed as anything less than an extension of the prosecution? The proceedings demand urgent scrutiny.
NEW: This is a statement released to me by Victoria George, an alternate juror from Karen Readโs first trial. She is also an attorney and has given me permission to share this statement, which is her reaction to todayโs hearing, as well as her name. #WBZ
Hey @HiltonGrandVac - Iโve been on hold, transferred, hung up on, and held some more for about 2.5 hours now. Either nobody answers, or the people who do canโt help & transfer to someone else. If I donโt get somebody to help me soon, youโll be hearing A LOT from me in 2025.
@HiltonGrandVac Iโve been on hold over an hour waiting for someone to answer the phone. Is anyone working today? Need assistance with gifting HGVC RCI points.
There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we donโt yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasnโt seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishingย himย a quick recovery.
Brayden Ross tosses the complete game shutout to put the Lions in the winner's bracket!
Schilling - 3-for-4, 2 R, 2B
Quarnstrom - 2-for-4, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
#RunToTheRoar