Judge Gave Drug Dealer a Second Chance, 16 Years Later, He Swore Him in as a Lawyer
Edward Martell landed in Judge Bruce Morrow’s courtroom in 2005, after being arrested in a drug sting in Dearborn Heights Michigan.
Instead of giving him what could have been a lengthy prison sentence, the Judge instead challenged Martell to return as an executive after his 3 year probation.
Martell took on the challenge, attending a community college and despite many naysayers, pursuing a law degree at the University of Detroit Mercy.
He then worked as a clerk at the federal public defender’s office in Washington DC & as a legal researcher.
Judge Morrow vouched for him during his bar exam and attended his final confirmation hearing.
Now the once felon is a criminal law attorney at the Perkins Law Group and considers the judge his mentor.
