Appeals court overturns conviction due to judge's racial bias
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned the drug conviction of a Black man, Leron Liggins, after a Detroit federal judge, Stephen Murphy III, made racially biased remarks, stating that Liggins "looks like a criminal." The appeals court deemed the judge's comments incompatible with the fair administration of justice and ordered a new trial with a different judge, stating that allowing the conviction to stand would undermine public confidence in the judicial process. The judge apologized for his remarks, citing frustration with delays in the case, but the appeals court ruled that he should have recused himself as requested by Liggins' attorney.