PHOENIX, July 4 (UPI) -- A judge assigned to an Arizona racial-profiling case has chosen to hear the case rather than withdraw due to a possible conflict of interest, he said.
In a case filed four-and-one-half years ago against the Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff's Office, which is accused of discriminating against Latinos, U.S. District Judge Murray Snow noted in his ruling Tuesday that his decision to stay on "is made in circumstances that greatly favor resolution of this lawsuit."
Attorneys for both sides have noted the case has a connection with Snow's brother-in-law, a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of the firm Covington and Burling. The firm's San Francisco office is the attorney for the plaintiffs for the trial in Phoenix, scheduled to begin Jul. 19, the Arizona Republic reported Wednesday.
Documents have been filed indicating Snow's brother-in-law has had no involvement in the case and will receive no compensation if the plaintiffs prevail, the newspaper said.
