Group calls for judge to resign after 'joke' at hearing

Watchdog group says the remark during a domestic abuse-related hearing is latest in a string of inappropriate comments. He apologized.

By ROCHELLE OLSON, Star Tribune

Last update: November 12, 2009 - 11:33 PM

A courts watchdog group wants Hennepin County Judge Stephen Aldrich to resign because of an alleged pattern of inappropriate comments. The group on Thursday cited a recent joke about marriage and murder that Aldrich made at a hearing regarding a woman's restraining order against her husband.

During the Oct. 21 hearing to update an order for protection taken out by the woman, the group WATCH says that Aldrich said: "I've been married 45 years. We've never considered divorce; a few times murder maybe."

Aldrich apologized Thursday and said the comment was taken somewhat out of context. "I tried to use humor to lower the tension in the courtroom and in retrospect I chose the wrong words," he said, adding that the couple involved chose to keep him on their cases.

Through their lawyers Robert Hajek and Scott Rodman, both of the spouses said the comments were not taken as "offensive." The lawyers called the WATCH report "out of context" and a "non-issue."

But WATCH executive director Marna Anderson said this was just the latest in a pattern by Aldrich. WATCH has filed complaints against him with the state Board on Judicial Standards. Anderson said Aldrich has been privately reprimanded. Even in jest, she said, his comment was inappropriate. "I don't know really what will happen with this case, but we felt this was what we needed to do," she said of the group's decision to call for his resignation.

Aldrich's comments came after recent high-profile tragedies involving murder-suicides among couples. Stress from a tight economy is also cited as a driving factor in a spike of women seeking orders for protection against men.

Aldrich, who recently moved to Family Court for a two-year rotation, said that during his 15 years on the bench and 25 prior years as a lawyer, he has "acted forcefully to protect victims of abuse and their children."

Carol Arthur, director of the Domestic Abuse Project, said Thursday: "We hold our judicial officers to a higher standard because they are our justice system. Matters before them can't be treated as a joke."

State judicial standards require judges to run dignified and respectful courtrooms.

State courts administrator Mark Thompson said that Aldrich has received coaching regarding his courtroom demeanor. "Judge Aldrich has told me personally he deeply regrets his comment and the unintentional impact in the courtroom and to the community," Thompson said.

Neither the judge nor Thompson commented on the other alleged statements in court by Aldrich, as reported by the watchdog group:

• To a man who allegedly was stabbed by his wife, "Maybe you should do the barbecuing from now on."

• To a defendant in a criminal case, "I don't know if you're stupid or evil."

• To a Somali defendant who was placed on a hold by federal immigration, "Maybe we can convert Guantanamo into a civilized place where we could send people when they can't go back to Mogadishu."

• In response to a clerical error in a file: "With all the women running for president, there's no one left to make things right."

Aldrich, 68, is not a gubernatorial appointee, as most judges are. He was elected in 1996 and reelected in 2002 and 2008. Judges are required to retire at 70.

Aldrich recently presided over a case involving a lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis and City Council Member Lisa Goodman. He also has ruled on issues related to airport noise.

Before he was elected, he ran a private practice. In a 1992 case, he represented a woman who had left Minnesota with her children to escape alleged domestic abuse.

Rochelle Olson • 612-673-1747

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