RICHLAND, Wash. – In a press release from the Johnson & Orr Law Firm, a judge on double-murderer Elias Huizar’s child rape case is set to resign from his position on May 17 following domestic assault charges he was acquitted for.
Judge Sam Swanberg has held his position in the Superior Court for the last six and a half years.
Scott Johnson, Swanberg’s personal attorney at Johnson & Orr, confirmed with NonStop Local that “this has nothing at all to do with the Elias Huizar case.”
According to court documents, Swanberg was a judge on both the Feb. 15 arraignment and March 28 omnibus for Huizar’s child rape case.
The press release reports that the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct insisted for Swanberg to admit to conduct he did not do, refusing to honor a jury verdict in Franklin County that acquitted him of assault and found that he acted in self-defense.
Despite being acquitted, the press release reports that the Commission is requiring Swanberg to defend himself against the allegations, adding that “the Commission acts as judge, prosecutor and jury in the hearing, ensuring that Judge Swanberg had no fair opportunity to defend himself.”
In Jan. 2022, the Superior Court unanimously temporarily removed Swanberg from his position who was charged at the time with domestic violence.
Moving forward, Swanberg looks to reenter private practice and assist the people of Benton and Franklin Counties who need help with complicated legal issues.
