Judge Shira Scheindlin pulled from stop-and-frisk case

(UPI) -- The New York federal judge who ruled the city's controversial "stop-and-frisk" policy was unconstitutional has been removed from the case.

An appeals court blocked the August ruling from Judge Shira Scheindlin, handing down a unanimous decision Thursday to rebuke Scheindlin who they said "ran afoul" of judicial ethics.

The court determined Scheindlin failed to "avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all activities," and failed to disqualify herself "in a proceeding in which the judge's impartiality might be reasonably questioned."

The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals faulted Scheindlin for speaking to media during the trial and for speaking out against criticism.

Scheindlin denies commenting specifically on the case. A new judge will be appointed to the case, which was remanded from the appeals court back to the federal district court.