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Judge Lefkow speaks publicly on loss, security
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| Contributor | COSDem |
| Last Edited | COSDem May 18, 2005 01:12pm |
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| Category | General |
| Media | Newspaper - Chicago Tribune |
| News Date | Wednesday, May 18, 2005 07:00:00 PM UTC0:0 |
| Description | WASHINGTON -- In her first major public appearance since a disgruntled plaintiff murdered her husband and mother in her Chicago home, U.S. District Court Judge Joan H. Lefkow today called for better protection for judges.
She also asked lawmakers to repudiate recent "gratuitous attacks" on the judiciary by commentators such as Pat Robertson and by some members of Congress.
"In the age of mass communication, harsh rhetoric is truly dangerous," Lefkow said. "Fostering disrespect for judges can only encourage those that are on the edge, or the fringe, to exact revenge on a judge who ruled against them."
Lefkow said more resources need to be given to the U.S. Marshals Service to evaluate potential threats and protect judges. She said judges themselves were not in a position to evaluate threats.
She also called on lawmakers to dispense as quickly as possible the $12 million Congress has approved to install home security systems for the 2,200 active and semi-retired judges and magistrates in the federal court system.
Lefkow said there was no time for delay in releasing the funds.
"As recently as last Friday, May 13, I was spotted and harassed in a restaurant in downtown Chicago," she said. "Had that harasser come back not with a nasty sign but with a gun, I would not be here today to speak with you." |
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