House Of Ruth files complaint against Judge Russell

March 25, 2010 - Today, the House Of Ruth Maryland and the Women’s Law Center of Maryland filed an official complaint with the Maryland Judicial Disabilities Commission regarding the recent actions of Baltimore County District Court Judge G. Darrell Russell.  The House Of Ruth Maryland believes that Judge Russell’s behavior was grossly inappropriate.  Further, HRM believes that victims of domestic violence should be able to enter a Maryland courtroom and have charges against their abusers heard fairly, without being urged into marrying their abuser.

The House Of Ruth Maryland and the Women’s Law Center of Maryland believe that Judge Russell’s actions show an appalling disregard for the plight of victims of domestic violence who appear as witnesses against their abusers in criminal court. 

The House Of Ruth Maryland believes that this is a great injustice that needs to be investigated.  Victims of violence should be able to go to a Maryland courtroom and not fear leaving that courtroom wed to their abusers.

BACKGROUND
Two weeks ago, Judge Darrell Russell was set to hear a criminal complaint against Frederick Wood. Instead he married the suspected abuser and his fiancé. When Wood’s case was called, his lawyer asked the judge “for a postponement so he (Wood) can go out and get married, come back and resolve the case. His wife will then invoke her privilege.”  This privilege prevents a spouse from being required to testify against his or her husband or wife.  The judge encouraged the couple to obtain a marriage license and return to his courtroom so that Judge Russell could personally perform the ceremony that afternoon. The mandatory 48-hour waiting period between getting a marriage license and getting married was waived by another judge. 

Judge Russell’s closing comments to the Defendant were: "Mr. Wood, I found you not guilty, so I can't sentence you as a defendant in any crimes, but earlier today, I sentenced you to life married to her."   Judge Russell was later reported to joke about the news coverage this case was receiving.