Discussions are underway regarding the removal of a Oneida County Supreme Court Judge from her judicial post due to her involvement in a racially offensive and profane verbal altercation outside a high school graduation party in 2022. Erin P. Gall, a Justice of the Supreme Court in the Fifth Judicial District of Oneida County, has been recommended for removal by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Gall has held her position since 2012.
The incident occurred at a graduation party in New Hartford in July 2022, where a confrontation ensued between a group of Black teenagers and attendees, including Gall’s family members. During the altercation, Gall, inappropriately invoking her judicial status, made threats of gun violence, showed bias in favor of the police, and engaged in derogatory language towards the teenagers.
Gall utilized her judicial position to try and have the teenagers arrested, even threatening to involve higher authorities if police did not comply with her demands. She also made disparaging remarks about the teenagers’ intelligence and made alarming statements about resorting to violence if they were to return to the party premises.
Furthermore, Gall expressed partiality towards law enforcement, affirming her support and willingness to assist the officers during the incident. However, her behavior exhibited racial bias and unprofessional conduct unbecoming of a judge.
Despite her claims of acting in defense of her family members, Gall’s actions were deemed inappropriate by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct. The Commission concluded that her serious misconduct, including threats of gun violence, biased behavior, and disparaging comments, warranted her removal from the bench.
The Commission stressed that a judge’s actions, such as displaying racial prejudice or promising special treatment to law enforcement, undermine public trust in the judiciary. Therefore, Gall’s conduct was deemed unacceptable and disqualified her from further service as a judge. Her term is set to expire on December 31, 2025.