Judge, Bailiff Deny Obstructing Justice

A recently retired Municipal Court judge and a bailiff have pleaded not guilty in Superior Court to charges that they plotted to obstruct justice as part of an effort to cover up the escape of a defendant from a Whittier courtroom in January 1998.

The bailiff had custody of the defendant when he fled from the courtroom and then lied to his supervisor about it to avoid getting into trouble, Deputy Dist. Atty. Alex Karkanen said Friday.

The indictment said Judge Alfonso Hermo, 67, got involved in Deputy Al Garces’ predicament and issued a series of orders that backed up the 46-year-old bailiff’s lie. One of those orders recalled arrest warrants that Hermo had issued against the defendant after the escape, according to the indictment. The indictment said Hermo then wrongly entered new orders granting the defendant a release without bail.