A New Jersey family court judge who suggested an alleged rape victim could have closed her legs is now apologizing for his remarks, according to multiple reports.
During a disciplinary hearing, Superior Court Judge John Russo Jr.'s lawyer said he never meant to imply the victim could shut her legs, according to NJ.com.
"He now understands that his intentions do not matter," NJ.com says his attorney Amelia Carolla told the state Supreme Court. "He understands that what matters only is the impact his words had on others. He is remorseful about the hurt that this may have caused the plaintiff.”
CBS News reports the woman appeared before Russo in 2016 when she was seeking a restraining order. At that time, CBS says Russo suggested she could have physically defended herself by running away, blocking her body parts, calling the police or closing her legs.
Back in April, another panel recommended Russo be suspended and forced to attend training on how to behave appropriately in his courtroom, according to court documents.
According to the New York Post, he could now face up to a six-month suspension.
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