Incompetent Judge Michael Hensley: 'I made a decision that had the most tragic result possible'

Laura Russell murdered after judge refused to have her stalker & elementary school teacher Anthony Russell arrested despite repeated restraining order violations:

Anthony Russell, elementary school teacher, stalker, murderer


Murdered teacher Laura Russell


The inept judge, Michael Hensley, who could have averted her murder​

Judge: 'I made a decision that had the most tragic result possible'

More than a week after the controversial death of Laura Russell, Jefferson County Indiana Superior Judge Michael Hensley has released a statement in explaining his decision as it relates to the incident. According to police, Anthony Russell attacked his estranged wife in her home, stabbing her multiple times, killing her and then killing himself. The incidents occurred on Oct. 7. The day before Laura’s murder, court documents show the Jefferson County Indiana Prosecutor filed felony 5 stalking charges and a motion to have Anthony arrested. Hensley denied that motion. In a statement delivered to the Madison Courier on Monday, Hensley ...

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http://www.kvue.com/news/judge-i-made-a-decision-that-had-the-most-tragic-result-possible/338365705



Judge: 'I made a decision that had the most tragic result possible'

According to court documents, Anthony was arrested and charged with strangulation ... I am well aware of the danger in these situations – yet the fact that an elementary school teacher killed his wife and then himself is still hard for me to believe.

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http://www.nwcn.com/news/judge-i-made-a-decision-that-had-the-most-tragic-result-possible/338160535



Judge: 'I made a decision that had the most tragic result possible'

According to court documents, Anthony was arrested and charged with strangulation ... I am well aware of the danger in these situations – yet the fact that an elementary school teacher killed his wife and then himself is still hard for me to believe.

Continue reading...

http://www.krem.com/news/judge-i-made-a-decision-that-had-the-most-tragic-result-possible/338159320

 

Judge admits denying an arrest warrant had 'the most tragic result possible' after woman was murdered by her estranged stalker husband

• Police say Anthony Russell, 51, killed his estranged wife, Laura Russell, 44, in her home before he killed himself on October 7 in Jefferson County
• Jefferson County Superior Court Judge Michael Hensley denied a warrant request from prosecutors to have Anthony arrested on October 6
• Prosecutors wanted to have Anthony arrested on five felony stalking charges for violating a no-contact order Laura had in place
• Hensley said he thought he made the 'correct legal decision' but the one he made in denying the request had 'the most tragic result possible'

An Indiana judge has admitted his decision in denying a warrant request had 'the most tragic result possible' after a man who stalked his estranged wife killed her. Anthony Russell, 51, attacked and killed his wife, Laura Russell, in her home by stabbing her multiple times on October 7, police say. He killed himself with a self-inflicted gunshot wound immediately after she died. The day before Jefferson County Superior Court Judge Michael Hensley denied a warrant request from prosecutors to have Anthony arrested on five felony stalking charges for violating a no-contact order 44-year-old Laura had in place, the Madison ...

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...woman-murdered-estranged-stalker-husband.html



Statement from His Dishonor Michael Hensley:

'Out of respect for the family of Laura Russell I have waited until after her funeral before making any comment on her tragic death. I express my deepest condolences to her loved ones. I feel horrible about her death and realize the regret I express and information I provide in this statement do not bring her back.

'Still, I feel that her family and the public at large deserve to know what procedurally happened. I did not issue a warrant in this case for the immediate arrest of her estranged husband. My role is not to simply grant all warrants without review. Certain legal standards must be met before I can issue a warrant. The reason I did not issue a warrant in this case is that there was not sufficient probable cause. Without probable cause I do not have the power to issue a warrant. I made what I thought to be the correct legal decision. Obviously, I made a decision that had the most tragic result possible.

'I made my decision with full knowledge of the dangers of domestic violence situations. I represented many victims of domestic violence before I was elected Judge, including volunteering as an attorney when victims were unable to pay my fee. I am well aware of the danger in these situations – yet the fact that an elementary school teacher killed his wife and then himself is still hard for me to believe.

'Judges make difficult decisions every day. My goal is to make sure I have every piece of evidence the law allows me to consider before making a final decision on a warrant request. When I do not find probable cause on a warrant request, I will now issue an order for a hearing to be held on the same day as the warrant request. I am hopeful the new procedure prevents a similar tragedy in the future.' ​

 

Judge Admits His Decision in Domestic-Abuse Case Had ‘The Most Tragic Result Possible’

Judge Michael Hensley had a tough decision to make. On one hand, he could approve a warrant request forcing authorities to arrest Anthony Russell, a 51-year-old Madison, Ind., elementary-school teacher with a history of violently attacking his wife. On the other, Hensley could deny the request and issue a summons, forcing Russell — who had been accused of stalking his estranged wife and violating a no-contact order — to appear in Jefferson County Superior Court days later. Hensley chose the latter on Oct. 6, arguing that prosecutors had not shown sufficient probable cause for him to approve an arrest warrant. ...

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http://www.stelladimokokorkus.com/2016/10/judge-admits-his-decision-in-domestic.html