Judge faces charges she illegally influenced case
By Edward L. Cardenas / The Detroit
News
CENTER LINE -- Wayne County Circuit Judge Wendy M. Baxter found herself on the opposite side of a judicial bench Tuesday.
Baxter was being questioned in Center Line's 37th District Court by the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission for allegedly trying to illegally influence the outcome of a murder case and covering up her actions.
The complaint accuses Baxter, who was serving on Detroit's Recorder's Court, of illegally contacting the lawyer of Adrian Bell in a 1995 murder case.
Bell, who was 16, was charged with first-degree murder after the owner of a truck he carjacked was killed as Bell crashed the vehicle.
Baxter allegedly told her clerk to tell Bell's lawyer, Mary O'Connell, that she believed the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office had overcharged the teen. On that assessment, O'Connell waived Bell's right to a jury trial.
"I was disheartened that this happened," Baxter said during opening arguments Tuesday. "I did not prejudge the case. I made a preliminary assessment."
A month later, Baxter found Bell guilty of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to the Wayne County Juvenile Home. She refused a request by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office to step aside from the sentencing.
Baxter also is accused of arguing with Bell's mother and aunt. She later ordered the two women arrested for contempt.
"There was an out-of-control situation in my courtroom," Baxter said Tuesday. "She jumped up and shouted at me."
Baxter said she never had a family act like they did in her courtroom.
According to the complaint filed with the Judicial Tenure Commission, they were not advised of their rights, nor appointed lawyers. Baxter also is accused of falsifying documents to show the women asked the court to provide them with a lawyer.
The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission filed the complaint against Baxter in March.
Baxter is the most recent circuit court judge to be investigated.
The Michigan Supreme Court in July removed Wayne Circuit Judge Andrea Ferrara from the bench because of judicial misconduct. Ferrara allegedly made racially derogatory remarks about African Americans, Arab Americans and Jews. But the court cited her "unprofessional and disrespectful conduct" during the commission's investigation into the allegations as the reason for her removal.
Baxter's questioning continues today.
email: clr@clr.org
Home
Posted July 23, 2001