Judge criticized after allowing drug dealer to avoid jail time

SALEM, Mass. — An Essex County judge is under fire after a decision led to a drug dealer avoiding jail time.

Community members gathered Thursday afternoon for a protest, demanding for Superior Court Judge Timothy Feeley to be removed from his post on the bench.

Feeley is being criticized for sentencing a known heroin dealer with a criminal record to probation, rather than jail time, saying the defendant was just trying to support his family.

Gov. Charlie Baker said, in this particular case, Feeley made a "ridiculous and outrageous" decision.

Other lawmakers and voters are also demanding action, like Rachel Mason.

Mason and her sister lost their brother to an overdose 13 years ago, and say Feeley's ruling sends the wrong message about drugs.

"I feel for the parents who lose their kids everyday," Mason said. "I know a lot of people that passed away."

Mason's sister said her and other protesters won't back down until Feeley has resigned or been removed.

"We're not stopping until he's out," Martha Mason said.

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Baker declined to say if he'll remove the judge, saying instead that the courts have a way to handle the situation.

Court officials and Feeley's office did not respond to a request for comment.

Cox Media Group