Exclusive | Judge who freed Cuban plane hijacker dies suddenly days after controversial ruling

A Clinton-appointed federal judge in Florida has died just days after he controversially released a Cuban plane hijacker who was awaiting deportation.Judge John E.Steele, 77, passed away suddenly, according to a law clerk for Chief Judge Marcia Morales Howard of the Middle District of Florida — where Steele served.A legal source in Miami also confirmed Steele’s death.

The circumstances of his passing were not immediately clear.Steele came under criticism for his July 8 ruling to release Cuban plane hijacker Miakel Guerra Morales from ICE custody.Morales took over a Cuban commuter plane in 2003 and forced the crew to land at Key West International Airport.He spent more than 20 years in prison for aircraft piracy....