The Florida Supreme Court has rejected a request to investigate allegations of racism involving a Duval County circuit judge who sentenced an African-American man to death.
Judge Mark Hulsey sentenced Death Row inmate Terrance Phillips in 2012 for the murders of two people. Last month, Phillips’ lawyer Martin McClain filed a motion to "get the facts" about highly publicized allegations against Hulsey, who was narrowly reelected last month.
McClain argued allegations of racism created questions about Hulsey's impartiality. Attorney General Pam Bondi's office objected to McClain's request, describing it as a "fishing expedition."
The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied the motion, citing an ongoing inquiry by the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission into the allegations. The commission filed formal charges against Hulsey in July for alleged racist and sexist comments, including that he once said blacks should "go back to Africa."
Hulsey has denied the allegations, and the Commission is scheduled to hold a hearing in early February.
