The Monroe County District Attorney's Office confirms that Judge Victoria Argento has recused herself from the upcoming trial of the man accused of killing Rochester Police Officer Daryl Pierson.
Thomas Johnson III is accused of killing Officer Pierson back on September 3rd. The suspect's attorney argued that Argento could not be impartial in presiding over the trial because she attended Pierson's funeral.
According to Time Warner Cable News, before recusing herself however, Judge Argento ruled that the police pursuit of Johnson that led up to Pierson's shooting was legal and justified.
The suspect and another bystander were injured in the shooting that killed Officer Pierson. Johnson is charged with Aggravated Murder, Attempted Aggravated Murder, assault and a weapons charge. His trial is scheduled to begin April 20th.
