PHILADELPHIA (PA)
TheMediaReport
Dave Pierre
Kudos to veteran journalist Ralph Cipriano, who is raising questions about the impartiality of the judge presiding over the high-profile Catholic clergy criminal abuse trial in Philadelphia.
Covering the trial for the Philadelphia Priest Abuse Trial Blog, Cipriano opined in a recent post that Judge M. Teresa Sarmina is “often mistaken for a member of the prosecution team.”
Cipriano’s reference is to the fact, ignored by others in the media, that it seems almost all of the judge’s rulings have gone in the favor of the prosecution – and against the Catholic clergy.
A record of troubling statements and actions
Sarmina’s fairness has been questioned before. As we have noted previously:
• On January 31 (before the trial), Sarmina declared in an open courtroom in front of Catholic priests and their defenders: “Anybody that doesn’t think there is widespread sexual abuse within the Catholic Church is living on another planet.” Not only was Sarmina’s remark incredibly biased, but it was factually wrong, prompting a call from the Catholic League for the judge to step down. [Read More]
• On April 23, Samina opined, “I would not be surprised if there are not many, many more people out there who have chosen never to come forward [to report abuse].” [Read More]
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