Spent 3 months in juvenile detention before being exonerated these facts are public record though someone has recently tried to embellish them with unsupported allegations. He paused his gaze sweeping the E courtroom what isn't public record is what I learned during those 3 months I learned how it feels to be powerless. In a system that presumes guilt I learned that Authority without accountability is nothing but institutionalized bullying and I learned that Justice delayed is often Justice denied. The court court room was absolutely silent now those lessons shaped my career choices there why I became a public defender before joining the bench there why I'm known for being thorough. In examining evidence and there why I will not recuse myself from this investigation his eyes found Savannah's someone hoped that by exposing my past.
They would discredit this investigation they failed to understand that my experience doesn't make me biased against law enforcement it makes me unique qualified to recognize. The difference between proper police work and abuse of power Savannah felt herself shrinking under his gaze understanding too late the magnitude of her mistake now. Carter continued let's discuss how these sealed juvenile records were accessed and Who provided them to certain media Outlets the it manager Phillips was called to testify first. He detailed the unauthorized database searches made from the precinct's records room computer at 2:17 a.m. Using Savannah's login credentials next came Kevin Nash the young journalist who testified about his meeting with Savannah at the diner his testimony was followed.
By emails from other journalists she'd contacted each one documenting her attempts to plant the story finally the Blogger who' published the piece was called. In under oath he admitted to embellishing the story based on Savannah's suggestions adding unsubstantiated claims about violence that she had hinted at but never directly stated. As the evidence mounted Savannah felt the last remnants of her professional reputation crumbling she'd crossed a line violated ethical boundaries and for what to discredit a judge whose only crime was seeking truth. And accountability during a brief recess she found herself face to face with judge Carter in a quiet Corridor for a long moment neither spoke why. He finally asked his voice carrying more sadness than anger I I thought if people questioned your objectivity you thought wrong Carter Cut Her Off do you know what I remember most from my time.
In detention not the fear not the isolation I remember Officer James Wilson who the guard who noticed I was reading law books in the library instead of mocking me like. The others he brought me more books said if I was going to study law I should understand all sides of it he taught me. That wearing a badge doesn't make someone good or bad it's how they use the authority that comes with it Savannah felt tears threatening I just wanted to protect my career no. Carter replied quietly you wanted to protect your Illusions about what that career meant there's a difference when Court resumed Carter addressed the attempt to discredit him directly. This court will not be swayed by attempts at character assassination however officer Mitchell's actions in accessing sealed records and attempting to plant false stories show a disturbing pattern of ethical violations.