Maricopa update
Gamso has a recap of the latest in Maricopa County - Deputy Adam Stoddard is still in contempt of court for stealing defense attorney Joanne Cuccia's file; Judge Donahoe denies County Attorney Andrew Thomas' motion to unseal the file in question; Joe Arpaio issues a press release blasting Judge Donahoe for being soft on crime, but the local paper promptly reveals that Arpaio's facts are wrong - the 6 defendants that Arpaio listed as having gotten lenient sentences in fact went to prison or the County Attorney recommended lenient sentences.
Arpaio refuses to assign a deputy to Judge Lisa Flores' courtroom to guard Antonio Lozano, the defendant whose file was invaded by Stoddard, so Judge Flores, rather than asserting herself and ordering the sheriff to do his job, recuses herself from the case and punts to Judge Donahoe.
Arpaio and the County Attorney file suit against and indict County officials Don Stapley and Mary Rose Wilcox who reportedly disagree with Arpaio's policies. Apparently he tried this already last year with Stapley but all charges were dismissed against him.
The judges in Maricopa County need to take control of their courtrooms - I believe that is an understatement. Reading about this insanity from a distance, I am wondering how many of Arpaio's actions over the years rose to the level of civil rights violations, and if and when the federal government should step in and give Maricopa County back to its citizens.
