Judge Naita Semaj of New York Supreme Court’s 12th Judicial District in Bronx County reportedly faces imminent removal from presiding over criminal matters.
This is due to an ongoing judicial investigation into alleged maltreatment within her courtroom. Furthermore, she attracted criticism for liberating an individual accused of slaying a 15-year-old lad from incarceration.
Judge Semaj to Be Reassigned
Insiders informed the New York Post that Semaj is likely to be reassigned to civil court cases within the forthcoming week. The judge, elected in late 2021 for a 14-year tenure, is under scrutiny for purportedly abusive conduct in her courtroom.
Recently, she also drew attention for discharging 28-year-old Tyresse Minter from jail sans bail, despite allegations of him asphyxiating his 15-year-old stepchild, Corde Scott.
Bronx Judge Naita Semaj to be yanked off criminal cases: sources https://t.co/y6HM7cQHJ0 pic.twitter.com/X6fZpMvz7p
— New York Post (@nypost) April 21, 2023
The case garnered sufficient prominence to prompt Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) to intervene, ensuring Minter’s re-incarceration prior to his trial. However, this week, Bronx County Court Judge David Lewis mandated Minter’s release from custody.
Karen Glenn, Scott’s mother, expressed to the Post her relief that Judge Naita Semaj would cease presiding over criminal cases, stating the following:
“I have faith in the justice system. With this change, families and victims can finally be accorded the dignity they deserve. [T]his is not an isolated incident of her questionable actions, as evidenced by my son’s case.”
Semaj garnered infamy for liberating suspects accused of appalling offenses without bail.
Majority of Suspects With Prior Violent Criminal History Rearrested
In one instance from the previous year, she released and dismissed charges against 16-year-old Camrin Williams, a gang-affiliated local New York City rapper. He stood accused of shooting NYPD Officer Kaseem Pennant, aged 27, in the leg during a search.
Semaj abandoned the charges against Williams, alleging the search conducted by Pennant was unwarranted, to begin with.
Soft on crime Supreme Court Judge Naita Semaj who released an alleged child killer without bail is being DEMOTED to non criminal cases while seeking PROMOTION🔥 She/her should be in G'TMO 🔥https://t.co/8icEjw9Hs8 pic.twitter.com/Xi1OavByiy
— 🇺🇸 ʟᴇғᴛ ᴄᴏᴀˢᴛ ᴠᴀɢʀᴀɴᴛ 🇺🇸 (@Baklava_USA) April 23, 2023
Breitbart News reported over 72 percent of suspects in New York City with prior violent criminal histories, who were subsequently released without bail, were rearrested.
This article appeared in TheDailyBeat and has been published here with permission.
