Background: The Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas (Google Maps). Inset: Judge Michael Fanning (The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania).
Judge Michael Fanning, 60, who has presided over cases in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas since 2014, now finds himself facing serious accusations. According to police reports cited by The Philadelphia Inquirer, Fanning allegedly assaulted his wife and their 30-year-old daughter on Monday at their home in East Torresdale, Pennsylvania. After his arrest, he was released on a $200,000 unsecured bail, with strict instructions to avoid any contact with the family members involved in the incident.
According to KYW, a local news radio station, Fanning received a suspension without pay from his duties on Thursday. A spokesperson for the court informed KYW that immediate actions were taken to revoke Fanning’s access to the court building, and his cases were swiftly reassigned to other judges.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that during the courtroom proceedings, prosecutors detailed the assault, stating that Fanning struck his wife multiple times in the face, threw her to the floor, and attempted strangulation. Additionally, he allegedly dragged his daughter to the ground by her hair, resulting in facial injuries.
On Tuesday, a bail magistrate issued an emergency protection-from-abuse order against Fanning, prohibiting him from contacting either his wife or daughter. During the hearing, the magistrate warned Fanning that any violation of these terms or involvement in another domestic violence case could lead to his bail being raised to $1 million.
A bail magistrate issued an emergency protection-from-abuse order against Fanning on Tuesday, ordering him not to have any contact with his wife or daughter. The magistrate told Fanning during the hearing that if he violated those terms or appeared in court for another domestic violence case, she would increase his bail to $1 million.
Fanning pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated assault, two counts each of simple assault and recklessly endangering a person, and strangulation. His next court date was scheduled for March 25.
