Truman A. Morrison III (born December 10, 1943) is a former attorney and judge and served on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia from 1979 to 2020. He was known for his advocacy for criminal justice reform including bail reform. Morrison unexpectedly resigned in 2020, amid a Washington Post investigation that surfaced allegations of sexual assault and light sentencing of sexual predators.Editorial Board. "Opinion: A troubling pattern of how judges accused of misconduct escape accountability", The Washington Post, 13 October 2020. Retrieved on 17 February 2021.
Morrison received his Bachelor of Arts in government and sociology from Beloit College in 1967 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1970.
Morrison attained senior status in 1999. President Jimmy Carter appointed Morrison to the Superior Court in 1979. to fill the seat vacated by Judge John Garrett Penn. Morrison was the subject of Canary: The Washington Post Investigates, a seven-part podcast produced by The Washington Post that reported on allegations he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl when he was in his early 30s.Brittain, Amy. "Canary: The Washington Post Investigates", The Washington Post, Retrieved on 17 February 2021. Morrison retired three days after being contacted by investigative reporter Amy Brittain regarding the charges.Weiss, Debra. "Judge steps down after newspaper asks about sexual assault allegations", ABA Journal, 6 October 2020. Retrieved on 17 February 2021.
Personal life Morrison is married to Susan Shaffer and their sons are country musicians with The Morrison Brothers Band."The Honorable Truman A. Morrison III", DC Courts, Retrieved on 17 February 2021.
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