Tire-deflating ex-judge is charged with misdemeanor for ordering deputy to shock 'rude' defendant
A former Maryland judge is facing a federal misdemeanor charge for ordering a deputy to administer a shock to a “rude” defendant.
Former Judge Robert Nalley of Charles County was charged last month with deprivation of rights under color of law, the Washington Post reports. The charge was made through a criminal information rather than an indictment, suggesting Nalley may have agreed to plead guilty.
Nalley was previously in the news in July 2010 when he was suspended without pay for five days for letting the air out of the tires of a car parked in a restricted area near the courthouse. Nalley had said the parking spot was for him.
Nalley told a police officer investigating the July 2014 shocking incident that the pro se defendant, who considered himself a sovereign citizen, had cited irrelevant case law, had acted in a “rude” manner, and was “nonresponsive” when asked if he had questions in voir dire.
A sheriff’s deputy followed Nalley’s instruction to shock the defendant, delivering a 50,000-volt electrical charge to his Stun-Cuff, according to the Post article. The defendant dropped to the floor. “Defendant screams,” the transcript reported. Paramedics who were summoned found the defendant did not suffer any serious injuries.
Nalley was barred from hearing cases as a judge in September 2014.
