America’s oldest federal judge, 96-year-old Pauline Newman, was suspended yesterday over questions about her mental competency after refusing an exam.
An interview with staff revealed evidence that the judge, appointed in 1984 by then-President Ronald Reagan, “may be suffering from significant mental problems — including memory loss, poor understanding and confusion,” the Judicial Council said.
Colleagues complained that Newman worked too slowly and was often confused, nervous and argumentative, he said. Although his workload has already been reduced, Newman takes four times as long as other judges to issue opinions on cases.
Newman describes the decision as illegal
Because the 96-year-old woman refused examination by a court-selected neurologist and psychiatrist, she was suspended for a year. The suspension could be extended if she continues to refuse to cooperate, the judicial council said.
Newman described the decision as illegal and the result of personal animosity. The psychiatrist hired by Newman, Regina Carney, stated that “Judge Newman does not have a significant emotional, medical or psychiatric disability that would interfere with her performance of her duties as a judge.”