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Committee favorably recommends amended resolution admonishing and censuring Judge Don M. Torgerson after debate and public comment
Summary
After sponsor Representative McPherson described widely reported and, by his account, inappropriate remarks by Judge Don M. Torgerson during a sentencing hearing, the committee heard public comment from Michael Drexel (assistant state court administrator), debated an amendment to narrow the resolution’s language, adopted the amendment (one no vote), and favorably recommended the amended House Resolution 8.
Representative McPherson opened discussion of House Resolution 8 by summarizing reporting and public concern about comments the judge made during a sentencing hearing for a defendant convicted of child sexual exploitation offenses. McPherson said the judge’s statements were "wild...and considered inappropriate," that there has been no public apology or public discipline, and that "we hold the standards very high and we expect that our judges take ownership when they make mistakes."
During public comment, Michael Drexel, assistant state court administrator, urged caution. He told the committee the resolution "goes beyond…
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