BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. -- A Baltimore County judge has been reassigned after it was reported that he officiated the marriage of an abuse suspect and his fiance, who police say is the victim, and cleared the suspect of all charges, WBAL-TV reported.

Judge Darrell Russell has been reassigned to chambers work. He will not be hearing any cases for an indefinite period of time.

A week ago, Russell decided to go along with the wishes of a domestic violence suspect and marry the suspect and his fiance.

The marriage happened on the same day as the hearing.

The judge heard the suspect's request in the morning, allowed time for the couple to get their marriage license, then performed the wedding in his chambers that afternoon, WBAL-TV reported.

The woman then invoked her marital privilege so she wouldn't have to testify against the suspect, and the judge found her new husband not guilty.

Russell told the suspect, "I found you not guilty, so I can't sentence you as a defendant in any crimes, but earlier today, I sentenced you to life married to her," he said.

The decision to reassign Russell came from the chief judge of the state's district court system. It came amid strong reaction to the case.

"I was appalled. I was stunned, watching that piece last night," said Steve Bailey, a former Baltimore County prosecutor who spent eight years handling domestic violence cases.

"Judge Russell seemed to actively participate in the defense in this case. He facilitated a marriage, which resulted in an acquittal. I was offended and embarrassed to be a lawyer affiliated with the criminal justice system," Bailey said.

Others said the case sends a terrible message to victims of abuse.

"I think this is the exact time judicial disabilities should be looking at the actions of the judge. This was way out of the norm," said Dorothy Lennig, of the House of Ruth, a domestic violence center helping battered women and children find safety and security.

WBAL-TV reached Russell by phone Wednesday morning. He said he didn't see what was newsworthy about the case. He initially agreed to an interview but canceled an hour later.

A representative for the district court system said that the system is committed to protecting victims of domestic violence.