A Philadelphia family court judge has been charged with violently assaulting his wife and daughter, sparking outrage and legal scrutiny. Michael Fanning, 60, was arrested on Monday night after allegedly punching his 58-year-old wife repeatedly in the face and strangling her before turning on his 30-year-old daughter during a domestic altercation at their Torresdale home.
Details of the Alleged Assault
According to prosecutors, the incident began with a verbal argument between Fanning and his wife, which escalated into physical violence. When his daughter attempted to intervene, Fanning allegedly dragged her to the ground by her hair, causing facial injuries. The Philadelphia Police Department reported that the attack was severe, with Fanning facing charges including Aggravated Assault, Strangulation, two counts of Simple Assault, and two counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person.
Legal Proceedings and Bail Conditions
Fanning appeared in court via video from his cell, wearing a black tracksuit and sunglasses, accompanied by his lawyer Tom Pfender. Pfender stated that Fanning plans to enter a not guilty plea. Bail Magistrate Lauren Connor approved his release on an unsecured bail of $200,000 as part of a deal between the defense and prosecution.
An emergency protection-from-abuse order has been issued, barring Fanning from contacting his wife and daughter. Connor warned that any violation of this order or the terms of his release, or if he appears in a similar domestic-violence case, could result in bail being set at $1 million. When asked if he understood these conditions, Fanning replied, "100 percent."
Background and Judicial Status
Fanning was appointed to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas bench in 2014 after graduating from Temple University Law School. Prior to his judgeship, he worked as a private practice lawyer and as an assistant attorney in Bucks County, where he prosecuted child abuse cases. Despite the charges, he has not been automatically removed from his judicial position; state judiciary officials may consider suspension or removal based on the outcome of the case.
The Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and Fanning's attorney have been contacted for comment, but no statements have been released yet. This case highlights concerns about domestic violence and the accountability of public officials in the legal system.
