At a time when woke prosecutors across the nation are making a mockery of a once model criminal justice system, instances of problematic judges are now increasingly common. And one doesn’t have to look far to find the evidence to support it.
On October 1, 2021, 19-year-old Megan Joyce Imirowicz became upset with her 64-year-old father, who after becoming intoxicated, was unable to drive her to a hair appointment ahead of her 18th birthday party.
Incensed, Imirowicz threw lye powder and water on him as he slept on the couch in their Groveland Township home outside Detroit. Her friends would later discover the victim with catastrophic chemical burns. After they notified her of the situation by telephone, she allegedly showed little concern and hung up.
Although the victim initially survived the attack and was hospitalized, his injuries were extensive. Notably, both of his legs required amputation, a tracheotomy and skin grafts were performed, various infections resulted and he suffered kidney failure.
Finally, after months of painful care, the elder Imirowicz died on March 6, 2022.
For her part, Megan Imirowicz was jailed, but denied throwing chemicals on her father, claiming instead that she threw bread at him.
On June 15, 2023, Imirowicz was unanimously convicted by a jury of Unlawful Possession or Use of Harmful Devices Causing Death. For this, she likely faced life in prison. That is until Judge Victoria Valentine decided on a crafty alternative in sentencing her to one year in jail, with 506 days credit, and five years of probation.
Of course, the impressionable teen was further ordered to undergo a psychological exam, drug testing, electronic monitoring and a judicial review at the six month mark of her probation.
Megan Imirowicz was naturally ecstatic at the news, stating, “I was praying for a miracle and that’s what I got.” She then walked freely out of the courtroom to celebrate with a meal of chicken nuggets and fries. Who wouldn’t? This was a day worthy of such a celebration, lacking only the presence of the mindless judge to share in the meal she made possible.
Meanwhile, in Lincoln County, Oklahoma, District Judge Traci Soderstrom presided over the case of 32-year-old Khristian Tyler Martzell, accused in the beating death of 2-year-old Braxton Danker on Mother’s Day in 2018. Not to be outdone by Judge Valentine, after Martzell was convicted of second-degree manslaughter, Soderstrom in her infinite wisdom sentenced the defendant to time served. What could explain such a lax decision?
Perhaps it was the fact that the judge was unable to take her eyes off her phone during the proceedings? Security video from the courtroom appeared to show Soderstrom repeatedly perusing Facebook and texting for hours during the trial, and even as the victim’s mother wept from the stand. Soderstrom must have simply forgotten that she gave specific instructions to the jury to cease all such phone activity. Alas, it could happen to anyone.
Judge Soderstrom was so broken up over the controversy that she had the courtroom overhead camera moved instead of addressing her outlandish behavior. The Oklahoma Council on Judicial Complaints is now reportedly investigating the matter and could throw out the criminal conviction. And by the way, Soderstrom was just sworn in as judge to a four year term in January.
America’s criminal justice system is in disarray as far as the eye can see. Poor judgment and incompetence have increasingly replaced common sense and an upholding of basic judicial principles in meting out justice. Ultimately, there is no deterrence for the criminal and even less respect for the judges who impose sentences. In the end, we are left with yet one more broken societal institution.
Mark Figley is a political activist and guest columnist from Elida. His column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Lima News editorial board or AIM Media, owner of The Lima News.
