Conn. judge suspended for tardy response to motion

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — A judicial panel has suspended a New Haven Superior Court judge for 20 days for failing to respond to a legal motion for two years.

The New Haven Register reports that the Judicial Review Council voted unanimously to suspend Judge William Holden. Council Chairman Wayne Keeney said Holden admitted to three violations of the judicial canon of ethics.

William Dow III, Holden's lawyer, said his client did not deprive anyone of the right to appeal. He called it a question of inefficiency.

The lawyer for Christopher Shaw, who was convicted by Holden in 2008 of sexual assault, asked the judge in June 2009 to clarify the basis for the conviction. Holden did not respond until July 2011, delaying Shaw's appeal.

Dow says Holden will not appeal the council's decision.

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Information from: New Haven Register