Florida aims to impeach judge who freed killer mom using COVID insanity defense
by Susan Ferrechio · The Washington TimesFlorida’s attorney general is seeking to impeach a judge who let a mother walk free after she claimed COVID-19-induced psychosis caused her to drown her baby and stab her family.
The attorney general, James Uthmeier, said his office “will be drafting articles of impeachment” against Miami Circuit Court Judge Miguel M. de la O, who has presided on the bench since 2012.
Last week, the judge let South Florida mom Precious Bland walk free from charges she drowned her 15-month-old daughter in a bathtub and stabbed other family members on Aug. 23, 2021.
Ms. Bland was charged with second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and child abuse. She pleaded not guilty, claiming COVID-induced psychosis.
In the police report reviewed by Court TV, Ms. Bland, according to her husband, who was stabbed in the head, “was upset, stating that Jesus Christ is coming and COVID is going to kill us all.”
Judge de la O sided with the defense and found Ms. Bland not guilty by reason of insanity on all three counts. He rejected arguments by the prosecution that Ms. Bland, who had six children, murdered the toddler because she thought her husband was having an affair. Prosecutor Elizabeth Utset called the COVID psychosis claims “a fabrication and an embellished story.”
Mr. Uthmeier needs the GOP-led Florida Legislature to take up the impeachment articles and vote on them in order to remove Judge de la O.
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who appointed Mr. Uthmeier, urged the Legislature to act.
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“Time for the Florida House to do its duty,” Mr. DeSantis posted on X.
The governor hasn’t been able to get the House to boot judges.
The Florida House earlier this year declined his request to impeach 2nd Judicial Circuit Judge Tiffany Baker-Carper, who freed a convicted sex offender on bond who later murdered his 5-year-old stepdaughter.
State Rep. Daniel Perez, the Republican speaker of the Florida House, has declined to take up impeachment articles against any Florida judges.
Mr. DeSantis has removed two elected state attorneys from office, citing neglect of duty in both instances. He also removed four members of the Broward County School Board after a grand jury found they neglected their duties in ensuring school safety.
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Susan Ferrechio
sferrechio@washingtontimes.com
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