Michigan Supreme Court justice apologizes to colleague for criticizing decision to hire ex-con

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A Michigan Supreme Court justice apologized Monday to a fellow judge for harshly criticizing his hiring of a former convict to serve as a legal clerk.

Judge Richard Bernstein released a statement saying he had apologized to Judge Kyra Harris Bolden in person at the Courthouse and that she had accepted his apology.

“I regret overstepping Judge Boldens’ hiring process and should not have interfered with her ability to run her chambers,” Bernstein said.

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Bolden had hired Pete Martel, 48, who served 14 years in prison after he robbed a Flint-area store and shot officers, The Detroit News reported. He was released in 2008, turned his life around, and graduated from Wayne State University Law School.

Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein issued a public apology to his colleague Kyra Harris after criticizing her decision to hire an ex-convict as a law clerk (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

Bernstein also apologized to Martel.

“Mr. Martel is not an elected official and my actions invited people into his life in a way he did not subscribe to and he deserved more consideration,” Bernstein said.

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“I am committed to working with Justice Bolden in the years to come to advance our many shared values, including working immediately to expand opportunities in the legal field for those who have repaid their debts to society,” continues the communicated.

Bolden said last week that she had accepted Martel’s resignation after criticism from Bernstein.

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“He didn’t want to be a distraction or in any way distract the court from its important work,” Bolden said.

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