A federal judge denied suspended Newton Judge Shelley Joseph and retired court officer Wesley MacGregor’s request to dismiss their charges of conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

Six Boston College law professors have signed onto a brief urging the Supreme Court to drop the obstruction charges against Shelley Joseph, a Newton District Court judge.

“Much as she might have wanted to get rid of the case, she could not admit to something she does not believe to be true,” said Francis Herrmann, S.J., a professor at Boston College Law School, in an email to The Heights. “If, however, the US Attorney's offer would not have required her to make an admission of guilt, it is harder to understand why she turned down the offer. Perhaps she wants the authoritative voice of a jury of citizens to declare to the public that she is not guilty.”

A Newton judge, Shelley M. Richmond Joseph, was indicted yesterday on an obstruction of justice charge for allegedly helping a man escape from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Newton courthouse last year. A court officer, Wesley MacGregor, who has retired since the alleged incident, was also charged with obstruction of justice and an additional charge of perjury.

Governor Charlie Baker calls for the temporary removal of a Newton judge who allegedly helped an undocumented immigrant escape from ICE agents at the Newton District Court.