Court: Former Franklin County judge violated judicial conduct

(INDIANAPOLIS) – A panel appointed by the Indiana Supreme Court has determined former Franklin County Judge J. Steven Cox did violate three judicial rules. 

Disciplinary charges were filed against Cox earlier this year by a seven-member commission that investigates alleged ethical misconduct by judges. 

Two of the allegations stemmed from the case involving Gregory Guilfoyle, who was accused of shooting his wife and a Franklin County deputy in December 2022.  

The first count accused Cox of participating in improper ‘ex parte’ communication with Guilfoyle at the defendant’s home and without the presence of attorneys.

The second count accused Cox of investigating the facts of the case independently.

The third count accused Cox of rejecting all written plea agreements and not weighing cases on their own merit from July 2022 to December 2024. 

On Friday, a three-member panel appointed by the Indiana Supreme Court agreed that Cox violated all three counts. 

The panel declined to recommend any disciplinary action. The findings now go to the Indiana Supreme Court who will determine any sort of penalty.

Cox had served as a judge since 1994 until Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Alex Dudley defeated him in the 2024 election. 

Guilfoyle was found guilty earlier this year and is currently serving a 100-year prison sentence in the Indiana Department of Corrections.