Court reform advocates call for ethics lessons for judges following PSU scandal

It was revealed Monday the judge who granted bail to accused child sexual abuser Jerry Sandusky also gave to Sandusky’s Second Mile charity.

District Judge Leslie Dutchcot was a Second Mile donor and volunteer, and in light of that revelation, Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts is calling for ethics education for judges.

“Judge Dutchcot should have put this information on the record and given the parties an opportunity to request her recusal from the case,” reads a statement from PMC Executive Director Lynn A. Marks.

“In fact, we believe that recusal would have been the wise decision, but Pennsylvania gives a lot of discretion to judges regarding recusal decisions.”

 

Sandusky is accused of using his charity to find young boys he’s charged with sexually assaulting.

PMC, a nonprofit that advocates for court reforms, wants more guidance for judges in their recusal decisions.