A U.S. magistrate judge ordered the release of Gigi Jordan on Wednesday after tossing her conviction. In 2014, the millionaire pharmaceutical executive was convicted of murdering her 8-year-old autistic son by force-feeding him with a lethal dose of pills.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Cave said she overturned the conviction because the trial judge, retired Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Charles Solomon, had momentarily shut the courtroom. Assistant DA Matthew Bogdanos asked the judge to boot reporters and the public so he could hammer out online complaints about the trial he believed Jordan had authored.

Defense lawyer Ron Kuby contested the closure, saying it violated his client’s right to a public trial. Six hours later, the judge realized his mistake and reopened the courtroom for the public to witness the proceeding.

Cave wrote in her decision that while Jordan’s case had not been affected by the judge’s actions, it seriously violated her Sixth Amendment right to a public trial so the conviction should be overturned.

The magistrate judge said Jordan, who had already served 11 years in prison, would be sprung on a $250,000 bond after she’s equipped with an electronic ankle monitor.

State prosecutors objected the decision, arguing that Jordan should remain behind bars while they fight the ruling. “We do believe we have a meritorious appeal,” said Assistant DA Vincent Rivellese during the hearing in Manhattan federal court. “We do intend to retry her if the appeal fails,” he added.

With her conviction overturned, Gigi Jordan will stay in confinement inside her house unless pretrial services allow her to go out to visit her lawyers, doctors, or grocery shop.

In 2014, Jordan was found guilty of manslaughter for killing her son, Jude Mirra. She forced her son to take a lethal prescription cocktail at a lavish hotel in Manhattan, causing his death. She was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

supreme court half staff death
Above: The U.S. flag flies at half staff at the Supreme Court in Washington D.C. after the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, February 13, 2016. Scalia, a staunch conservative originalist, was expected to side with Texas in a lawsuit aimed at Barack Obama’s immigration policies. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.