Pirate Bay judge Tomas Norström's objectivity has already been called into doubt because of his ties to national and international pro-copyright lobby groups. Now, one of the defense lawyers says he has uncovered another scandal and claims to have evidence that Norström wasn't assigned to the case randomly, as should be the case according to court procedure.

In recent weeks we have written about the Pirate Bay judge’s ties to various national and international pro-copyright groups. Because of his involvement with these groups the lawyers of the defendants have asked for a retrial, and according to some legal experts, they just might have a chance of achieving that. Meanwhile, the evidence against the judge is stacking up.

Peter Sunde, Pirate Bay’s spokesperson has pointed out that Norström’s appointment to the TPB case might be set up. In Sweden – like in most other countries – a judge is usually appointed to a case randomly. However, not with the Pirate Bay trial according to defense lawyer Per E Samuelson.

“We’ve found some things, particularly about the random selection. It doesn’t seem to have been random,” Samuelson told SVT. The chief magistrate of the district court in Stockholm denied this, claiming that the regular selection procedure was carried out.

Tomas Norström addressing the international media after the Pirate bay verdict

Peter Sunde, one of the defendants convicted by the court over which Norström presided, previously told TorrentFreak that he hopes to see a retrial. “In the best interest of the Swedish people’s trust in the system a retrial should be not only granted, but pushed for,” he said. Judge Tomas Norström himself refused to comment on the continued allegations.

The defense lawyers have meanwhile filed requests a retrial. Stay tuned!