Controversial Michigan Judge Is Stripped of Most Responsibilities
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STANTON, Mich. — A maverick judge criticized for literally slapping a defendant on the wrist in a spousal abuse case was stripped of much of his caseload Wednesday because of his “appearance of bias.”
A visiting judge disqualified District Judge Joel Gehrke from hearing cases filed by the Montcalm County prosecutor’s office or by a law firm representing the county’s largest city, Greenville.
In addition, a state judicial panel has asked the state Supreme Court to suspend Gehrke while misconduct allegations are resolved.
Gehrke, whose six-year term expires this year, declined to say what his next move would be, although he can appeal the disqualification.
In January, Gehrke suspended fines and a 90-day jail term for a man convicted of misdemeanor spousal abuse, then slapped the man on the wrist with three fingers and told him: “Don’t do that.”
Gehrke said the man had been provoked and added: “In the eyes of Moses, the crime was not committed by the husband.”
Since his election in 1990, Gehrke also has quoted the Bible from the bench, used vulgar language.
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