WICHITA, Kan. — A foul-mouthed Kansas judge who cursed at courthouse employees so often that a trial clerk kept a “swear journal” documenting his outbursts should be publicly censured and receive professional coaching, but not kicked off the bench, a disciplinary panel recommended Friday.
His attorney, Chris Joseph, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Cullins had argued during the disciplinary proceedings that his speech is protected by the First Amendment and that his cursing does not diminish his integrity or keep him from performing his judicial duties with impartiality and competence.
It also addressed an instance in which Cullins was recorded in court referring to an out-of-state black athlete as “not even a Kansas boy” and telling a black male resident, “you're a Kansas boy" — language that could be considered demeaning to an African American man. Among the examples the court cited was Cullins' interactions with Montgomery County Attorney Larry Markle. Cullins wrote expletives on documents sent to Markle's office and allegedly belittled the prosecutor before other law enforcement officials in open court.
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Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »