Judges and Judiciary
Nov. 14, 2025
Judge's texts to DA prompt defendant's third murder trial
The Court of Appeal overturned Travis Rockhill's murder conviction, ruling two judges mishandled evidence of judicial bias after Judge Emily Cole texted a district attorney during trial, suggesting the prosecution call a rebuttal witness.
Two Los Angeles County judges made errors regarding the evidence for judicial bias, resulting in an overturned jury verdict and an order for a third murder trial for the same defendant, the 2nd District Court of Appeal ruled this week.
Superior Court Judge Emily Cole was publicly censured by the Commission on Judicial Performance last year for her actions in the case. She had texted a friend in the DA's office asking why the trial prosecutor, Yujin Yi, was not calling bailiff...
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