Lawyer facing felony home invasion charge wants DA off the case; judge who owned the house agrees
An Alabama lawyer accused of home invasion for allegedly entering the New Orleans courtyard of a judge’s home and sparring with her husband wants the district attorney kicked off the case.
So does the alleged victim Orleans Parish Judge Laurie White, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
The defendant, Joshua Stemle, claims he was disoriented when he entered the courtyard of the judge’s home in the French Quarter because he had been mugged moments before. His motion to recuse the office of District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro contends the office’s daily dealings with the judge could lead to bias against him.
White, on the other hand, has a different concern, the Times-Picayune says. Testifying under oath on Thursday, she said she dislikes and distrusts Cannizzaro.
“I’ve always made it clear I do not like the district attorney. He is not always truthful. He is always concerned with the political outcome of decisions and I am concerned about him handling my case,” White said. “Everything he does in this courthouse is not always based on what’s best for the community, or the defendants or the victims. I don’t think I can get a fair trial.”
According to the Times-Picayune, White’s remarks “set the courthouse abuzz and are likely to be cited by defense attorneys trying future cases in her section.”
Cannizzaro told the Times-Picayune he found White’s comment’s “disturbing” and suggested she was unhappy with his decision to endorse White’s opponent in an election to an appellate court.
The case is being presided over by a judge appointed by the state supreme court. All of White’s criminal court colleagues recused themselves.
