FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - An eastern Kentucky judge who was elected last week to the Kentucky Supreme Court has been rebuked in a ruling issued by the state Court of Appeals for losing his temper during a hearing.
Greenup Circuit Judge Robert B. Conley acted “peremptorily, profanely and dyspeptically” when he shouted and cursed at a defendant and slammed his hand on his bench, the Court of Appeals wrote in an opinion released Friday, news outlets reported.
Conley revoked defendant James Burns’ probation and sentenced him to 10 years in prison during the hearing last year. The appellate panel reversed Conley’s order and sent the case back to him. The panel said Conley erred because he didn’t enter findings of fact to justify the revocation.
Molly Mattingly, an attorney for Burns, said she was glad he will get relief.
Conley didn’t respond to requests for comment Monday, news outlet reported.
Conley got angry when Burns was explaining he was having a difficult time completing treatment that was a condition of his probation.
Conley was elected on Nov. 3 to the state’s high court with 54% of the vote, defeating state Rep. Chris Harris. His term starts on Jan. 4.
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