Justice Elizabeth Clement: Conscience over consequences
Justice Elizabeth Clement: Conscience over consequences
We like to think politics and bullying don't play roles in a judge's ruling.
But Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Clement tells The Detroit News editorial board she faced "bullying and intimidation" while deliberating a case that paved the way for a redistricting proposal to go on the November ballot. The GOP opposed the ballot issue and some politicos let her know that in no uncertain terms.
Clements was one of two GOP-nominated justices who backed a 4-3 ruling that put the redistricting commission plan on the Nov. 6 ballot, a measure Republican officials have opposed, writes Beth Leblanc of the paper:
As she runs for election to the court for the first time, Clement said she encountered pressure from "outside interests" — which she refused to identify — hoping to block the proposal from the ballot as she deliberated her decision.
It's unusual for such pressure to be applied in judicial cases and a breach of legal protocols, said Justice David Viviano, who told The News' editorial board he was aware of the pressure on Clement.
