Seattle judge responds to accusations of improper conduct
Published 1:30 am Friday, April 26, 2019
Associated Press
SEATTLE — A Seattle Municipal Court judge accused of improper conduct by the city’s top prosecutor and public defender says he won’t step down as presiding judge.
The Seattle Times reports in a formal response Thursday, Judge Ed McKenna denied some of the allegations and asked for more specifics on others.
On Wednesday, City Attorney Pete Holmes and Department of Public Defense Director Anita Khandelwal also alleged McKenna has acted outside his role by urging prosecutors to recommend harsher sentences and by speaking inappropriately about his decision-making on sentences.
The tension comes amid debate across Seattle about what is needed for people including some struggling with homelessness, addiction and mental illness who are arrested repeatedly.
In a statement Thursday Holmes and Khandelwal said their concerns have not been assuaged and that they are evaluating their options. They have not filed a formal complaint with the state Commission on Judicial Conduct.
