Judge Karen Bailey Turner Faces Backlash for Removing Ankle Monitor of Violent Offender.
Judge Turner, who was sworn in as a Monroe County Court Judge on December 18, 2019, is under intense scrutiny following the murder of Melikah Bruner.
According to court documents, the offender, Walter Balkum, was accused of repeatedly hitting his girlfriend, Bruner, in the head and upper body, causing her death. The incident occurred in front of Bruner's child, who called 911. Balkum had two prior felonies and had been arrested and indicted for felony assault against Bruner just a few months earlier.
Despite the violent history, Judge Turner had reportedly removed Balkum's ankle monitor at the request of his attorney, Ted Barraco, to help him find employment. Barraco claimed the intent behind the ankle monitor was to avoid home confinement, and removing it would allow Balkum to turn his life around.
However, this decision has drawn intense criticism from the public and social media users, who argue that Judge Turner's actions enabled a violent predator and resulted in a preventable tragedy. Some have even pointed to her past as an attorney, where she reportedly defended another individual accused of shooting two police officers.
Judge Turner's office has declined to comment on the pending case, but the public outcry continues to grow. Many are questioning the judgment and priorities of the judge, who is now facing intense scrutiny over her role in the events leading up to Bruner's tragic death.
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