Former judge pleads guilty for ordering deputy to jolt defendant with Stun-Cuff
A former judge in Charles County, Maryland, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor on Monday for ordering a deputy to jolt a defendant with an electric shock by activating his Stun-Cuff.
Former Judge Robert Nalley pleaded guilty to a federal charge of deprivation of rights under color of law, report the Associated Press and the Baltimore Sun. A press release is here.
During the July 2014 incident, Nalley asked the defendant if he had any questions for the jurors. The defendant ignored that question and read from a prepared statement questioning Nalley’s authority to preside “while standing calmly” behind a courtroom table, the press release says. Nalley twice ordered the defendant to stop, but the defendant continued to read his statement. At that point, Nalley ordered the deputy to shock the defendant with the Stun-Cuff.
Prosecutors are recommending probation. Sentencing is scheduled for March 31.
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.
