Burlington, Vermont -- October 19, 2005
A Vermont judge has apologized for punishing a tardy prosecutor by throwing out all charges against four criminal suspects.
District Court Judge Michael Kupersmith took that action last week because he was irritated after a prosecutor was four minutes late for a court hearing. The state's attorney said Kupersmith's response was unfortunate because it punished only the public and the police.
The judge declined our request for comment, but he reportedly admitted that he over-reacted.
As for the suspects: two have been cited to appear to be re-charged. The other two, an alleged New York City drug dealer and a woman who was released from prison, have apparently disappeared.
Brian Joyce - Channel 3 News