Justice Eakin’s ethics trial scheduled for March in Philly

    A Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice will go on trial before the state’s judicial ethics court in Philadelphia late next month.

    The Court of Judicial Discipline on Tuesday scheduled the case of Justice Michael Eakin for March 29 in a City Hall courtroom.

    Eakin is accused of violating rules for judicial conduct by exchanging obscene and objectionable emails with friends. He used a state computer to exchange the emails through a private email account.

    If convicted, he faces a range of possible punishment that could include removal from the bench.

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    The Republican is a former Cumberland County district attorney and has been on the high court since 2002.

    Eakin has apologized for what he’s described as insensitive emails but he’s argued that his actions don’t deserve punishment.

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