HARRISBURG PATRIOT-NEWS Editorial: In the United States of America, no overseer of criminal justice should have to flee his chambers in response to verbal abuse and death threats. …
…As judges often do, [Judge Mark] Martin took the occasion to add commentary to the proceedings, with emphasis on tolerance and respect for the religious beliefs of others. This set off grumbling among those who disagreed with the verdict.
Then, for reasons unclear, the judge became the center of a rumor that he had declared himself a Muslim in the courtroom and betrayed a bias in favor of the Muslim defendant. This allegation went viral on the Internet, and Martin’s office was flooded with irate calls demanding he be fired and even threatening physical harm. … (more)
