Saying that it's not clear that the pair's extensive communication had any affect on Sofronofff's conduct hardly suggests a searching examination, nor is it an exoneration. It's just not clear that the judge was prejudiced by associating with Albrechtsen (he may have been, but we can't be certain). The bar is actually no possibility of bias, not that it's not clear that his improper association resulted in a bias. What on earth was he doing having extensive communication with a journalist who's taken a clear and partial position on the issue? It's inexcusable.
