No immunity: State judge who helped illegal alien escape to face rare trial

[Valin]

Just The News

A federal judge last week declined to dismiss charges against Massachusetts District Court Judge Shelley Joseph

Alex Nitzberg

Aug. 3 2020

A Massachusetts judge is one step closer to facing a federal trial on charges that she assisted an illegal immigrant in avoiding federal apprehension.

A federal judge last week declined to dismiss charges against Massachusetts District Court Judge Shelley M. Richmond Joseph and now-retired Massachusetts trial court officer Wesley MacGregor.

Joseph, MacGregor, and a defense attorney are accused of helping a Dominican man evade being taken into custody at the Newton District Court by ICE agents after a 2018 hearing on criminal charges including drug possession. Prosecutors say the man had previously been removed from the U.S. twice and was barred from reentering the country until 2027.

Approximately one month after his escape, the fugitive was apprehended by immigration authorities, according to the Associated Press. 

(Snip)

The federal judge has refused to grant the request to dismiss conspiracy and obstruction charges. Joseph and MacGregor have both pled not guilty.

"After careful consideration, the motions to dismiss are DENIED because the Indictment alleges the elements of the offenses and sufficient supporting factual detail," U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin wrote in his July 27 ruling.

One of the arguments made regarding Joseph was that she is protected by judicial immunity, though the judge noted when declining to dismiss the charges that there is debate over the issue.

(Snip)