Federal judges in Arizona recuse themselves in shooting

U.S. District Judge Roslyn Silver says the killing of Judge John Roll makes impartiality a difficult goal

Published January 12, 2011 8:51PM (EST)

All federal judges in Arizona have recused themselves from the case against the man accused of shooting Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a federal judge and three other federal employees.

An order issued Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Roslyn Silver says the impartiality of the Arizona judges could be questioned because U.S. District Judge John Roll was killed during the rampage. Roll was the chief federal judge for Arizona.

Alex Kozinski, chief judge for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, will appoint a judge from outside Arizona.

Jared Loughner has been charged with trying to assassinate the congresswoman and killing Roll, as well as shooting a Giffords staffer to death and wounding two others.


By Associated Press

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