SALEM, MA (WBZ-AM) -- Momentum is growing on Beacon Hill for a movement to remove a superior court judge who failed to give jail time to a convicted heroin dealer.
But while State lawmakers are calling for an immediate impeachment and removal of Judge Timothy Feeley, some say there should be a more measured approach.
State Representative Paul Tucker of Salem says an independent judiciary needs to be respected.
"Judges don't work in a vacuum there is some accountablity ," he said.
Tucker, who is the former Police Chief in Salem, is troubled that a drug dealer caught with over 40 bags of heroin escaped jail time from Judge Feeley
"I am very troubled by the Judge's comments on the record that if he was a citizen that he would have sent him into incarceration," he said. "This is not a knee-jerk reaction this is something a measured and deliberate response and do it the right way." Tucker said.
He wants a through investigation and recommendation from The Code of Judicial Conduct Commission, with Feeley barred from hearing criminal cases in the interim. Tucker says he would like to see Feeley to be recused from hearing any criminal matters and says he's getting broad support for proposal from fellow legislators.
WBZ NewsRadio1030 has reached out to Judge Feeley for comment.
WBZ NewsRadio1030's Kendall Buhl reports