Last month, Mecklenburg County Chief District Judge Fritz Mercer, made a decision to remove Judge Nancy Black Norelli (R) from presiding over criminal cases. Now, Judge Norelli is on the bench in family court where she will be hearing divorce and custody cases. One of the reasons for the move was made known to some of the media outlets today.According to reports by WBTV News and The Charlotte Observer, several Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers had voiced concerns about Judge Norelli. The officers questioned several of Norelli’s rulings, including case dismissals and acquittals of defendants where the police had a mound of evidence against them.
Police officers and prosecutors were frustrated with Judge Norelli’s conduct in the courtroom and some officers felt they were treated unfairly and said they were sneered at by Judge Norelli.
One of the cases that Norelli dismissed involved a man who cut a natural gas line in an attempt to intentionally blow up his house. Norelli dismissed the case because she said the man had a ‘right to work on his own home.’ A cut gas line is very dangerous and could be deadly to those in the surrounding area. The man put his neighbors in serious danger when he attempted to destroy his home, however, Judge Norelli didn’t feel he should be reprimanded.
In another case, Judge Norelli acquitted a defendant who was charged with possession of marijuana. The arresting officer testified in court that he saw the man smoking marijuana, smelled marijuana and found a burning joint on the ground near the man. Judge Norelli disregarded the officer’s testimony and let the suspect off the hook.
I am thrilled to learn Judge Norelli is no longer presiding over criminal cases. The last thing we need in Mecklenburg County is a hug-a-thug judge like Norelli!