Boston Judge Accused Of Shielding Illegal
Judge Cleared of Knowing Escape Plan
A state investigation found that Boston Judge Shelley Richmond Joseph did notknow about an illegal immigrant’s escape from her courtroom,
though she inadvertently helped make it possible. Hearing Officer Denis J. McInerney concluded
she only sent the man back to the lock-up “because she assumed he needed to talk to his counsel in private.”
Findings and Reprimand
McInerney said, “Judge Joseph did not know about — much less authorize — the escape plan,”
but she “inadvertently created the appearance of impropriety and bias.”
He recommended a public reprimand for briefly turning off the courtroom audio.
The Incident
The defendant, Medina-Perez, was facing drug and fugitive charges while an ICE agent waited to arrest him.
His lawyer and a court officer later helped him exit through a back door.
Aftermath
Federal prosecutors dropped charges in 2022 after Joseph reported herself and
admitted key facts to state investigators.
