A judge says she's inclined to decide whether former Sheriff Joe Arpaio is guilty or innocent of a criminal contempt-of-court charge rather than let a jury determine his legal fate.
U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton didn't make a ruling on Arpaio's request for a jury trial, but says Wednesday that she is leaning toward deciding the case herself.
Arpaio faces the charge for prolonging his signature immigration patrols 17 months after a judge in a racial profiling case had ordered them stopped.
However, Arpaio explained that he's still hopeful about the outcome.
I'm not disappointed; I didn't do anything wrong," Arpaio said. "We'll let nature take its course."
He acknowledged violating the order, but insists his actions weren't intentional.
His attorney, Mel McDonald, said he thinks a jury trial would be the most appropriate.
"He was the elected sheriff for six terms and my feeling was that a jury of his peers should ultimately be the ones to make the call," McDonald said.
The violation of the order led taxpayer-funded legal costs from the profiling case to rise and is believed to have contributed to Arpaio's defeat in November after 24 years in office.
The trial is slated for April 25. However, there are speculations that charges could be dropped due to Arpaio and President Trump's relationship.
"I would like to see that happen, but I don't think it's going to happen," McDonald said. "I hate to see in the finale of his career to have to go through this process."
