Miami Judge Bronwyn Miller Texts to State Attorney Spark Overturn of Gang Leader Corey Smith’s Death Sentence

Miami Judge Bronwyn Miller Texts to State Attorney: In a surprising twist, Miami gang leader Corey Smith, once sentenced to death for his involvement in four murders, has had his sentence overturned. Smith, the alleged head of Liberty City’s notorious drug gang, the John Does, was convicted of the killings in 2004. However, recent revelations about biased messages sent by Judge Bronwyn Miller to Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle have now paved the way for a retrial and a reduced sentence for Smith, according to reports by the Miami Herald and RadarOnline.com.

The decision to drop the death penalty stems from newly disclosed text exchanges between Miller and the State Attorney’s Office. These messages, sent from January to July, reveal Miller’s criticism of defense attorneys, disparaging remarks about other judges, and her recommendations for handling Smith’s resentencing. Notably, Miller urged Fernandez Rundle to consider disqualifying Circuit Judge Andrea Ricker Wolfson, who was presiding over Smith’s case. Miller suggested that replacing Wolfson could lead to a reconsideration of prior rulings, and she expressed discontent with former defense attorney Zamft’s involvement in Smith’s case, citing ethical concerns.

Corey Smith’s defense team seized on these revelations, successfully arguing that the biased comments from Miller, who had left the State Attorney’s Office two decades earlier, compromised Smith’s right to a fair trial. As a result, the State Attorney’s Office announced it would no longer pursue the death penalty for Smith, opting instead to seek a reduced sentence.

This turn of events sheds light on the impact of judicial bias on legal outcomes and calls attention to ethical concerns within Miami’s justice system, potentially affecting future cases and appeals.