9 Investigates: Judges violate order by using GPS monitoring

ORLANDO, Fla. — 9 Investigates asked if local judges could be reprimanded for violating orders and releasing violent suspects on GPS monitors.

Four Orange County judges were discovered to be using GPS monitoring after the county suspended the program.

Debrand Blair, who was accused of shooting an 11-year-old girl, was released on a GPS monitor. Two months later, Blair was killed in a separate shooting.

"We don't want that happening around here and our families don't want that. We don't need that," a resident said of the shootings.

Judge Renee Roche defied an administrative order by releasing Blair with GPS. Three other judges have reportedly done the same thing with other inmates, Channel 9 found out.

Former Chief Judge Belvin Perry issued the GPS order two years ago following major problems in the program. WFTV legal alayst Bill Sheaffer said the current chief judge, Fred Lauten, has the responsibility of making sure judges comply with the order.

"Repeating the same behavior and expecting a different result -- isn't that the definition of insanity?" Sheaffer said.

The Florida Rules of Judicial Administration say that failure to comply "shall be considered neglect of duty and may be reported by the chief judge to the chief justice of the Supreme Court."

Eyewitness News contacted Lauten about the GPS order, but hasn't heard back.

WFTV