Denver Judge Subdued, Removed From Courtroom
DENVER (CBS4) - A Denver County Court judge had to be subdued and removed from a courtroom last Friday and he is now on leave from his job.
Multiple sources say County Court Judge Kerry Hada was acting erratically and inappropriately in court last Friday. Sources say Chief Judge John Marcucci asked Hada to leave but he refused, prompting Marcucci to summon sheriff's deputies. Those deputies removed Hada from the courtroom.
"We can't comment on any situation at this time," Marcucci told CBS4 Wednesday afternoon. "We're just not in a position to comment."
Hada presides over a criminal courtroom and has been a judge since 2008 when he was appointed by then-Mayor John Hickenlooper. He was an Army Ranger and is widely respected in the Asian-American community. Hada received his law degree from the University of Denver and is a frequent guest speaker at area schools.
Following the Friday courtroom meltdown, Denver police and their SWAT team responded Monday night to a Southeast Denver hotel on a call of a "welfare check." Hotel administrators say an employee had concerns about the welfare of a hotel guest. A number of hotel guests were evacuated from their rooms and police said they took a man into custody. There are numerous indications now that the man taken into police custody was Judge Hada.
Denver courts administrator Terrie Langham did not respond to multiple calls and emails from CBS4 seeking information on the Hada situation. However his clerk said Hada is on an "extended leave," which began last week.
A friend of Hada who asked not to be identified said Hada was dealing with a "health issue" and was seeking medical treatment.
CBS4 Investigator Brian Maass has been with the station more than 30 years uncovering waste, fraud and corruption. Follow him on Twitter @Briancbs4.
