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Background: The Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas (Google Maps). Inset: Judge Michael Fanning (The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania).
Judge Michael Fanning, aged 60, who has been serving in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas since 2014, is now facing charges after an incident at his East Torresdale home. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, he allegedly attacked his wife and his 30-year-old daughter on Monday. After his arrest, he was released on an unsecured bail set at $200,000 with strict orders to avoid any contact with the alleged victims.
KYW Newsradio reported that on Thursday, Fanning was suspended without pay. A representative from the court informed KYW, “The court acted swiftly to revoke Judge Fanning’s access to the premises and reassigned all his cases immediately.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer further detailed the allegations, with prosecutors claiming that Fanning repeatedly punched his wife in the face, knocked her to the floor, and strangled her. He is also accused of pulling his daughter to the ground by her hair, resulting in a facial injury.
According to courtroom reporting by The Philadelphia Inquirer, prosecutors said Fanning punched his wife in the face several times before throwing her to the floor and strangling her. Fanning also allegedly pulled his daughter down to the ground by her hair, which caused an injury to her face.
A bail magistrate issued an emergency protection-from-abuse order against Fanning on Tuesday, ordering him not to have any contact with his wife or daughter. The magistrate told Fanning during the hearing that if he violated those terms or appeared in court for another domestic violence case, she would increase his bail to $1 million.
Fanning pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated assault, two counts each of simple assault and recklessly endangering a person, and strangulation. His next court date was scheduled for March 25.