The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct has censured Judge James Piampiano over his handling of the Charles Tan murder trial in Rochester.
The report released by the commission today concludes an investigation begun last fall after then-Monroe County Court Judge Piampiano threw out the murder charges against the Pittsford teenager. Judge Piampiano was elected to State Supreme Court last November.
The ruling says Judge Piampiano has agreed his conduct was “inconsistent with the ethical standards” and that he’s pledged to conduct himself in accordance with the rules from now on.
Complaints were filed after the judge gave interviews to local broadcasters in which he appeared to be sympathetic to Charles Tan, who was accused of shooting his father at their Pittsford home. Judge Piampiano also threatened to hold Assistant District Attorney William Gargan in contempt and have him handcuffed if he continued to object to the order dismissing the murder charge.