Judge admonished for using office on Knox's behalf
SEATTLE -- The state's Judicial Conduct Commission has filed a complaint against a King County judge, saying he improperly used the power of his office to lobby on behalf of Amanda Knox.
Knox is the 22-year-old former University of Washington student convicted in the 2007 slaying of her flatmate in the Italian town of Perugia. The commission says King County Superior Court Judge Michael Heavey wrote letters on court stationery to Italian judicial officials on Knox's behalf, used court staff to type those letters, and spoke out publicly in an attempt to influence the case.
Ethical rules forbid judges from lending the prestige of their office to private causes.
Heavey is required to file an answer with the commission within 21 days. In response to the complaint, the judge sent the following written statement to KOMO News:
"Amanda Knox is a neighbor and a classmate of my daughter.
"The crux of the charge is that I lent the prestige of my office to advance the private interests of Amanda Knox. My letters were basically to speak out against the injustice of improper actions designed to prevent a fair and impartial trial. This is not advancing a private interest. It is addressing fundamental principles of due process and fairness. My actions were to serve the interests of justice.
"I hope that the Commission on Judicial Conduct will recognize that and acquit me of any violation. This is a pending matter and I will not make further comment at this time."
Knox is the 22-year-old former University of Washington student convicted in the 2007 slaying of her flatmate in the Italian town of Perugia. The commission says King County Superior Court Judge Michael Heavey wrote letters on court stationery to Italian judicial officials on Knox's behalf, used court staff to type those letters, and spoke out publicly in an attempt to influence the case.
Ethical rules forbid judges from lending the prestige of their office to private causes.
Heavey is required to file an answer with the commission within 21 days. In response to the complaint, the judge sent the following written statement to KOMO News:
"Amanda Knox is a neighbor and a classmate of my daughter.
"The crux of the charge is that I lent the prestige of my office to advance the private interests of Amanda Knox. My letters were basically to speak out against the injustice of improper actions designed to prevent a fair and impartial trial. This is not advancing a private interest. It is addressing fundamental principles of due process and fairness. My actions were to serve the interests of justice.
"I hope that the Commission on Judicial Conduct will recognize that and acquit me of any violation. This is a pending matter and I will not make further comment at this time."
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