All Crime, All The Time – News and Commentary on the Criminal Class
Senning had multiple criminal convictions including stealing guns and burglary prior to becoming the Judge’s live-in lover. Given all the information available to the Judicial Panel investigating her, it might be safe to assume — and that is all the public can do — the Maryland Judicial Disabilities Commission could have stripped her of her post. By resigning, she will be able to be referred to has “Judge Creighton” and can continue to practice law.
During most election seasons, it’s hard to get less dramatic races than those for Montgomery County Circuit Court judges. Rarely does anyone challenge the judges in office, who got their positions after going through a complicated nominating process.
This year, as recent primary vote totals show, things are different.
The race, to be decided in November, involves a salacious controversy, allegations of misconduct, and a courthouse filled with lawyers who are at once fascinated and panicked about the whole thing.
“It’s a huge concern for every lawyer I know,” says Joe Fitzpatrick, a longtime local lawyer and former president of the Bar Association of Montgomery County.
The main players are incumbent Judge Audrey Creighton and challenger Daniel Patrick Connell.
Six weeks ago, Creighton, 53, admitted to having an affair with a violent felon who was arrested after allegedly attacking her in her house, where he had been living. The suspect, Rickley Senning, 24, has been jailed on charges of assault, kidnapping and other counts.
Circuit Court Judge Audrey Creighton, running for election in Montgomery County’s primary this month, was accused of harboring her live-in boyfriend when he was a fugitive from an arrest warrant issued by another judge in her own court. At the time the warrant was outstanding, she admits living in an intimate relationship with the boyfriend, Rickley Senning, a violent felon less than half her age.
In a June 6, 2014 open letter seeking the withdrawal of the other judicial candidates’ endorsements of Ms. Creighton (attached), Circuit Court Judicial candidate Daniel Patrick Connell further alleges that Ms. Creighton lied to Montgomery County Police and circumvented court rules and procedures to keep Mr. Senning from being taken into custody. Supporting materials can be found on Mr. Connell’s website, www.ConnellfortheCourt.com.