Norwalk court under fire amid suspicions of racism

Controversy surrounding two judges has prompted a full investigation of a Norwalk court. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) announced it will be placing observers in

News 12 Staff

Mar 2, 2007, 1:11 AM

Updated 6,437 days ago

Share:

Controversy surrounding two judges has prompted a full investigation of a Norwalk court. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) announced it will be placing observers in the courtrooms of Norwalk Superior Court. NAACP says it's taking these steps after receiving complaints from defense attorneys and prosecutors about judges Barbara Bellis and Susan Reynolds. Bellis and Reynolds have been accused of treating defendants differently based on race and economic class. The state's chief court administrator Judge William Lavery conducted an investigation into the two judges? conduct in the fall of 2006. Lavery maintains his investigation showed the judges doing their jobs properly. Andrew J. McDonald (D-Stamford), co-chair of the Legislature's Judiciary Committee, says there needs to be a more thorough investigation.