A newsletter for employees of the Supreme Court of Appeals ... · A newsletter for employees of the...
Transcript of A newsletter for employees of the Supreme Court of Appeals ... · A newsletter for employees of the...
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A newsletter for employees of the Supreme Court of
Appeals of West Virginia Volume 25 Issue 7 Dec. 2011 — Jan. 2012
Amicus
In this edition:
RobestoSchools NextSupremeCourtChiefJustice
Transitions Hustead‐SpauldingWedding
SOISOof icersswornin FamilyCourtmascot
RobestoSchools JudgeHatchergoestoWashington
AnnouncementsOhioCountyMagistrateCourthistory
Truancy meetings wrap up
SupremeCourtJusticeRobinJeanDavisandNineteenthCircuitJudgeAlanMoatsgaveapresentationaboutjudicialprogramsontruan‐cytotheJointStandingCommitteesonEduca‐tionandtheJudiciaryonDecember13intheHouseofDelegatesChamber,the inalpresenta‐tionintheirfalltourofthestatetotalkaboutjudicialtruancyprograms.
Theyappearedatfourteenregionalmeetingstodiscusswaysthecourtsystemcanworkwitheducators,theDepartmentofHealthandHumanResources,andothercommunityof icialstokeepchildreninschool.JusticeDa‐visalsoattendedacommunitymeetinginPrincetoninNovembertosignanorderallow‐ingtheMercerCountyBoardofEducationtofundaprobationof icertoworksolelyontru‐ancycases.
TheSupremeCourtDivisionofChil‐dren’sServicesisinchargeoffollow‐upfromtheregionalmeetings.DirectorNikkiTen‐niscanbecontactedat304‐340‐2304or
Access to Justice forums completed
TheWestVirginiaAccesstoJusticeCommissionheldthelastofsixpublicforumstodiscussaccesstojusticebarriersinWestVirginiaonNovember15intheSupremeCourtChamberinCharleston.
PreviousforumswereheldinBeckley,Martinsburg,Huntington,Wheeling,andMorgantown.Informationfromthehearingswillbeusedtoconductaneedsassessmentoncivillegalrepresentationinthestate.
Ateachmeeting,thehearingpanelconsistedofWestVirginiaAccesstoJusticeCommissioners.Locallegislators,judges,cityandcountyrepresentatives,andthepublicwereinvitedtoattend.
TheSupremeCourtestablishedtheAccesstoJusticeCommissiononJanuary29,2009,byAdministrativeOrder.ThepurposeofthecommissionistoassistWestVirginianstoovercomebarrierswithinthecivillegalsystem.Formoreinformation,contactDeborahBoganat304‐558‐[email protected]
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Justice Ketchum to be Chief Justice in 2012
JusticeMenisE.KetchumwillbeChiefJusticein2012,theSupremeCourt
decidedinitslastAdministrativeConferenceof2011,heldonNovember
23.JusticeKetchumwillbecomeChiefJusticeonJanuary1.Justice
ThomasE.McHughwillassumethedutiesofChiefJusticeincasesin
whichChiefJusticeKetchumisrecused.
JusticeKetchumwaselectedtoafulltwelve‐yeartermonNovember4,
2008.ChiefJusticeKetchumwasbornin1943inHuntington,andwas
raisedinWayneCounty.HewaseducatedinWayneCountypublicschoolsbeforeattendingOhio
UniversityinAthens,Ohio,whereheplayedvarsitybaseballandwasamemberofthe1964Mid‐
AmericanConferenceChampionshipBaseballTeam.ChiefJusticeKetchumreturnedtoWestVirginiato
attendWestVirginiaUniversityCollegeofLaw.
WhileinlawschoolhewasacontributingwriterandassociateeditoroftheWestVirginiaLaw
Review.Hereceivedhislawdegreein1967andreturnedtoHuntingtontojoinhisfather,ChadW.
Ketchum(1911‐1998),inthepracticeoflawwiththe irmofGreene,Ketchum&Baker.Hepracticedat
that irmanditssuccessors,eventuallybecomingtheseniorpartner,untilhiselectiontotheCourt.
ChiefJusticeKetchum'slawpracticeincludedinsurancedefense,personalinjury,andcriminaldefense.
Hewasrecognizedcontinuouslyfrom1989to2008inTheBestLawyersinAmericaandwasa
memberoftheLeadingHonoraries,theAmericanCollegeofTrialLawyers,andtheAmericanBoardof
TrialAdvocates.Throughouthislegalcareerhepublishedlegalarticlesandpresentednumerous
continuinglegaleducationseminars.ChiefJusticeKetchumalsoservedasamemberoftheBoardof
GovernorsofMarshallUniversityfrom2002untilhiscampaignfortheCourt,andservedasChairman
orVice‐ChairmanoftheBoardfrom2003until2008.AtthetimeofhiselectiontotheCourt,heserved
ontheBoardsofthePublicDefenderCorporationsfortheSixthandTwenty‐FourthJudicialCircuits.He
previouslyservedontheHuntingtonUrbanRenewalAuthority,participatedinthestatewideVision
SharedHealthCareTeam,andtheGovernor'sMineSafetyTaskForce.
ChiefJusticeKetchumhasbeenmarriedtotheformerJudyVarnumsince1966.Theyhavethree
children–KelliMorgan,BertKetchum,andChadKetchum–andsixgrandchildren.
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Judge Hatcher goes to Washington
WhileintheWashington,D.C.,arearecentlytoattendanArmyJudgeAdvocateGeneralCorps
VietnamReunion,TwelfthJudicialCircuitJudgeJohnW.Hatcher,Jr.,visitedafriend,WilliamK.Suter,
ClerkoftheU.S.SupremeCourt.
JudgeHatcherservedfouryearsasaCaptainin
theArmyJudgeAdvocateGeneral’sCorps.Ofthat
service,oneyearwasintheFirstCavalryDivision
(AirMobile).
SupremeCourtClerkSuter,alsoaVietnam
Veteran,retiredfromtheArmyJudgeAdvocate
General’sCorpsasaMajorGeneral.Thenextdayhe
wassworninasClerkoftheU.S.SupremeCourt.He
hasservedasClerk,withgreatdistinction,fornearly
twenty‐oneyears.GeneralSuter,asheisreferredto
aroundtheCourt,invitedJudgeHatchertotheCourt
foraprivatetour.JudgeHatchersaidtheheandhis
wife,Alice,enjoyedthetourimmenselyandthat
GeneralSuter,withhisvastknowledgeofthehistory
oftheCourt,wasasuperiortourguide.TheCourt’sLibraryisamagni icentplace,andtheJustices’
privatediningroomiselegant,suitingthestatureoftheJusticesofthenation’shighestcourt,Judge
Hatchersaid.
TheU.S.SupremeCourtbuildingisnowcelebratingisseventy‐ ifthanniversary.Thebuilding
wasthebrainchildofChiefJusticeWilliamHowardTaft,whoservedontheCourtfrom1921until
1930.ChiefJusticeTaftistheonlypersontoservebothasaU.S.PresidentandasaJusticeontheUnit‐
edStatesSupremeCourt.
CassGilbert,thearchitectwhodesignedWestVirginia’sbeautifulCapitolwherethestate
SupremeCourtofAppealsishoused,alsodesignedtheU.S.SupremeCourtbuilding.Thetwo
courtroomsarenearlyidentical,excepttheU.S.SupremeCourt’schamberisnecessarilylarger.The
anniversarydisplayintheGreatHalloftheSupremeCourthasaphotoof,andcommentaryabout,
WestVirginia’sSupremeCourtChamber.
Judge John W. Hatcher, Jr., right, with William K.
Suter, Clerk of the U. S. Supreme Court, in
Washington, D.C. Photo provided by
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Wedding Announcement
Afterdatingformorethanthirty‐ iveyears,CircuitJudgesHobbySpauldingandJaneHusteadinallyrealizedthatsincetheywereobviouslyinloveandnotlikelytobreakupanytimesoon,theyneededtotietheknot.TheyweremarriedonThanksgivingDayatthehomeoflong‐timefriend,formerstateSenatorOshelCraigo’soldestdaughter,Sabrina,inBoston,Massachusetts,withalloftheCraigoextendedfamily(sixteeninall)inattendance.
Althoughnoonehascheckedanyrecords,itislikelythe irsttimetwosittingcircuitjudgeshavebeenunitedinmarriage.
Whiletherestoftheweddingpartywasdressedasifforachurchceremony,thebrideworejeansandthegroomworeDockers.
SenatorCraigogavethebrideaway,andhiswife,Joanna,wasthematronofhonor.Sabrina’smother‐in‐law,Olga,wasthebestman(orKuma,inSerbiancustom).TheonlyhitchforOlgawasthatservingastheKumaisaveryserioushonorsometimesperformedbyagodparent,andtheSerbiancustomisthattheKumaisresponsibleforraisinganychildrenoftheunionshouldthebrideandgroombeunabletodoso.Afterbeingassuredthatchildrenwerenotapotentialproblem,Olga,(ageover80),gaveagrin,asighofrelief,andhappilystoodupforJudgeSpaulding.
AnotherCraigodaughter,Shannon,performedtheceremony.Sabrina’shusband,Jovan,playedalloftheweddingmusic.AthirdCraigodaughter,Chris,tookphotos,andafourthCraigodaughter,Desiree,arranged lowersandprovidedtherequisitesomethingborrowed,somethingblue.
SixyoungCraigograndchildrenlovedthedancingafterthewedding,thethrowingofthebouquet,andthe“princess”throwingoutthegarter,whichthenbecameamuchfought‐overheadpiecebythelittlegirls.
Afterlearningoftheplans,SupremeCourtAdministrativeDirectorSteveCanterburyjoked,“Italkedtothem.Ibeggedthemnottorushintoanything.Theyranoffoutofstateandhitchedup.It’salwaysalittletroublingifpeopledon’tgettoknoweachotherbeforetheygetmarried.Wehopeitworksout.”Thenheadded,“Naturally,wewishthemboththeverybest.”
Thejudgessaidtheywouldliketothankeveryonefortheirexpressionsofcongratulations.
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Justice Benjamin addresses treatment court professionals, Appears on “Decision Makers”
SupremeCourtJusticeBrentD.Benjamingavethekeynoteaddresstoaconferenceoftreat‐mentcourtprofessionalsonNovember14attheMarriottCharlestonTownCenterHotel.Thespeech,liketheconference,concernedalternativestoincarcerationforcertain irst‐time,non‐violentoffenders.
TheWestVirginiacourtsystemcontinuestoaddtreatmentcourtsthroughoutthestateandtocelebrategraduateswhocompletesuchspecialtycourtprograms.JusticeBenjaminattendsasmanytreatmentcourtopeningsandgraduationceremoniesashisscheduleallowsastheSupremeCourt’srepresentative,anindicationofhowimportanttheCourtbelievestheprogramsare.
WestVirginiacurrentlyhaselevenadultdrugcourtsservingtwenty‐eightcounties,tenjuveniledrugcourtsservingtwelvecounties,oneadultreentrycourt,andoneadultmentalhealthcourt.
JusticeBenjaminalsoappearedontheDecember17broadcastoftheWestVirginiaMediatelevisionshow“DecisionMakers.”Hetalkedabouttherecent“JudicialHellholes”report,theRevisedRulesofAppellateProcedure,proposalsforanintermediateappellatecourt,andotherissues.TheshowalsoairedonDecember18.BrayCary,presidentandCEOofWestVirginiaMedia,wasthehost.TheshowairsonWOWK‐TV13inCharleston‐Huntington;WBOY‐TV59inClarksburg‐Morgantown;WTRF‐TV7inWheeling;andWVNS‐TV59inBeckley‐Blue ield.
ASineDietodieforSupremeCourtClerkRoryPerrysang
andplayedguitarwithafriendduringanall‐too‐briefperformanceforCourtemployeesduringthesinedieceremonyattheendofthefalltermofcourt.
TheceremonyusuallyisatimewhenJusticesthankotherJusticesandCourtemployeesfortheirworkduringtheterm.Thistime,ChiefJusticeMargaretWorkmanaskedClerkPerrytoperform,sayingshehadrecentlylearnedheplayedinaband,“RedSalt,”duringhisofftime.ChiefJusticeWorkmansaidshedidnotwanttobeout‐donebyJusticeBrentBenjamin,whobroughtMarshallUniversity’smarchingbandintotheSupremeCourtChamberforanopeningdayceremonywhenhewasChiefin2009.
ClerkPerrysanglyricsheandChiefJusticeWorkmanwrotespeci icallyforeachJusticetothetunesofpopularsongs.Andthen,tohersurprise,hesangapiecehehadwrittenaboutChiefJusticeWorkman.AlltheJusticesseemedtoenjoythegiftofsong.Theiremployeescertainlydid.
Justices Benjamin and McHugh laugh as Clerk Rory Perry and
Cameron McKinney play for the Justices. Photo by Steve Payne
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Boone County Schools fund probation officer InDecember,theAdministrativeOf iceoftheSupremeCourt,theTwenty‐FifthJudicialCircuit(BooneandLincolnCounties),andBooneCountySchoolssignedamemorandumofunderstandingregardingtheemploymentofaschool‐basedprobationof icerthatwillbefundedbytheBooneCountyBoardofEducation. MikeLacy,DirectoroftheDivisionofProbationServicesattheSupremeCourt,toldTheCoalValleyNewsthattheBooneCountyprogramsupportstheSupremeCourt’sinitiativeonreducingtruancyrates.Forthepastseveralmonths,JusticeRobinJeanDavishastraveledthestatetalkingabouttruancyandtheimportanceofcommunitiesworkingtogethertokeepchildreninschool. BooneCountyisthefourthcountyinthestatetohaveaschool‐basedprobationof icer,joiningLogan,Wayne,andMercerCounties.Theprobationof icersfocusonattendanceandbehavioralissueswithstudents. Twenty‐FifthJudicialCircuitJudgeWilliamS.Thompsontoldthenewspaperthatmanypeopleonhiscriminaldocketarehighschooldropouts. “Itisaproblemthatneedstobeaddressed,andthisisanotherpositivewaytohelpstudentsandparents,”saidJudgeThompson.
Robes to Schools
NewestCircuitJudgereadsto irst‐gradersStudentsatWhiteHallElementarySchoolinWhiteHallweretreatedtoaspecialguestreader
duringChildren’sBookWeekattheschool.SixteenthJudicialCircuit(MarionCounty)JudgeMichaelAloiread“ThePumpkinBlanket”to irst‐
graders.Accordingtothe[Fairmont]TimesWestVirginian,afterJudgeAloi inishedthebook,heshareda
storyaboutaspecialquiltmadeforhimbyhisgrandmother.Hetooktheblanketwithhimevery‐where,eventolawschool.Ithadbecomesothreadbare,hisgrandmotheraskedifshecouldhaveitbacktomend.JudgeAloihatedtopartwithit,buthedid.Shetooktheblanketto ixinApril1982,andthatsummershepassedaway,makingtheblanketaspecialtreasure.
InadditiontoChildren’sBookWeek,theschoolwascelebratingCharacterWeek,andthatdaywasKindnessDay.‘ThePumpkinBlanket’illustrateskindnesstheleadcharacterdemonstratestopump‐kins.
The irst‐gradersalsoaskedJudgeAloiquestionsabouthiswork.WhiteHall’smediateacher,MonicaZanussi,saidit’simportantforchildrentoseeprofessionals
takingtimeawayfromtheirbusydaystoreadtothem.“Withtechnologyencompassingeverything,we’regettingawayfrombooks.I’msoafraidwe’re
losingthemeaningofreading,”Ms.Zanussitoldthenewspaper.
MarionCountyMagistratevisitsFairmontSchoolMarionCountyMagistrateMelissaLingervisited irst‐gradestudentsatFairmontCatholic
SchoolonDecember15toread“TheCoatofManyColors,”byDollyParton.Hervisitwasasurprisetothestudents.
"Teachingthematanearlyagetohaverespectforauthoritative iguresintheirlifelikeparents,grandparents,andteachers,willeventuallyleadthemtohavearespectforthelawandkeepthemoutofthecourtsystemasacriminaldefendant,"shesaid.HervisitwasapartoftheRobestoSchoolsprogramcreatedbyJusticeRobinJeanDavisin2007.
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Judicial officers appear in play
Severaljudicialof icersandcourtemployeesappearedin“ANewHomeforLiberty,”aplaypresentedOctober18,2011,attheCharlestonCivicCenter.WrittenbyformerSupremeCourtClerkTomRodd,theplaytellsthestoryofanelderlyGranvilleHallandanelderlyJ.R.Cliffordmeetingwiththeirfamiliesinarailwaystationandexchangingstories.ThestoriesalsotellthehistoryofkeypointsinWestVirginiahistory. GranvilleHallwastherecorderofWheelingConventiondebatesthatledtotheformationofWestVirginia.J.R.CliffordwasWestVirginia’s irstblackattorney,aschoolteacher,principal,andnewspaperowner.TheplaywaswrittentocommemorateWestVirginia’ssesquicentennialandwassponsoredbytheJ.R.CliffordProject. ThecastincludedCircuitJudgesGaryJohnson,JayHokeandTodKaufman;formerSupremeCourtJusticeLarryStarcher;KanawhaCountyMagistrateKimAaronandherhusband,Bob;SupremeCourtClerkRoryPerryIIandformerSupremeCourtClerkAncilRamey;SupremeCourtLaw
ClerkPeterChambers;andformerCongressmanAlanMollohan.KanawhaCountyCommissionerKentCarperandKanawhaCountyDelegateMesheaPoorewereamongtheintroductoryspeakers.
Kanawha County
Magistrate Kim Aaron
Twenty‐Eighth Judicial Circuit Judge Gary Johnson, center, and Twenty‐Fi h Judicial
Circuit Judge Jay Hoke, right, were among the judicial officers who performed in "A new
Home for Liberty" on October 18, 2011, at the Charleston Civic Center.
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Family law judge’s pooch provides a soothing presence ByCherylCaswellCharlestonDailyMail WINFIELD,W.Va.‐InthebusiestfamilycourtroominWestVirginia,thejudgehasasecretweapontorelievestressandtension.HisnameisBuddy. PutnamFamilyCourtJudgeWilliamWatkinshasbeenbringinghisdogtoworksinceheadoptedhiminMarch.He'snowa ixtureonthesecondloorofthecountycourthouse. Buddy,aWelshCorgi‐AustralianCattleDogmix,regularlycruisesthroughthejudge'sreceptionarea,makingfriendswithchildrenandadultswaitingtheirturnbeforethebench.Andheassistsinthecourtroom,too. "Helovespeople,especiallychildren,"saidWatkins."He'sworthhisweightingold.Whenwehavehigh‐pressurescases,youcanjustseetheweightliftingoutoftheroom.Peoplejustcalmdown. "Hegoesaroundthecourtroomandsayshellotoeverybody,andthencomesupandsitsbyme,"saidthejudge. Watkinshandles2,500divorces,domesticandchildcustodydisputesannually—morethananyotherfamilycourtinthestate.Partiesareusuallyunderhighstress. Buddyhelpsdefusethatatmosphere,wagginghistail,willinglylickingfacesandhands,showingoffhischewtoys,beggingforarubandplayingwithkids. "He'sarealpositiveassettotheoperation,"Watkinssaid. InMarch,lonelyafterhisGreatDanedied,thejudgedecidedtowalknextdoortotheanimalshelterandlookovertheavailablepets. "Hebroughtmehisbone,andthatwasit,"Watkinssaid."Headoptedme." Inanironictwist,thedog'soriginalownersendedupinWatkins'courtroomandweresurprisedtoseetheirformerpet. Hehadabadhabitofrunningaway,theysaid. "Turnsouthe'sextremelyfriendlybutextremelycurious,"thejudgesaid."Anythingdistractshim.HeshowedupinCulloden." TheformerownersarecomfortablewithBuddy's—a.k.a.Bugsy's—newlife. "Everybodyknowshimaroundherenow.Hecomeswithmehereeveryday.He'stheof icemascot,"saidWatkins. Oneofhisfavoritespotsislookingoutacourtroomwindowtowardthenearbyelementaryschools. "Hewatchesthekidsandwantstobeovertherewiththem,"Watkinssaid. Watkinsknowseveryoneisnotadoglover.Buddystillwinsmostpeopleover,includinghissecretary. "Sheisnotcrazyaboutdogs.Shewasbittenonce,"hesaid."ButshelikesBuddy." Andit'snotjustthestressofothersthatBuddyhelpsoutwith.Watkinshashadheartsurgeryandhisphysicianshavecautionedhimto indwaystorelievestress."Areyoukidding?"heaskedthem."Ihavethemoststressfuljobintheworld."Butinbetweenmakingtoughdecisionsforfamilies,thejudgecanoftenbefoundonthe loorofhisof ice,pettingBuddy. "He'sjustmadeeverythingeasieraroundhere,"hesaid.
Putnam Family Court Judge William Watkins has been bringing his dog Buddy to work
since he adopted him in March. He's now a fixture on the second floor of the courthouse.
Photo by Tom Hindman, Charleston Daily Mail
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Transitions
Former Circuit Judge George Hill dies
FormerFourthJudicialCircuitJudgeGeorge“Skip”HilldiedDecember9,2011,inCharleston’sHubbardHospiceHouseafterbattlingseveralhealthissues,saidhisdaughter,SusanC.Richardson,ofParkersburg.Hewas81.
JudgeHillwasbornJuly11,1930,inFairmont.HegraduatedfromYaleUniversityin1952,whereheletteredinbothtrackandfootball.Hewasahal backonthefootballteamandonthetrackteamhesetaConnecticutrecordinhighhurdles.DuringtheKoreanCon lictfrom1952‐1955hewasalieutenantcommanderonthedestroyerUSSSigourney.
AfterhismilitaryserviceheattendedWestVirginiaUniversityCollegeofLaw,wherehewaseditoroftheLawReview.Hepracticedlawforthirtyyearsbeforebeingelectedtothebenchin1988.Heretiredin2006.
HewasamemberoftheWestVirginiaBarAssociation,theElksBPOE198,theKiwanisClub,andhewasontheboardofdirectorsfortheAmericanRedCross.
JudgeHillalsoissurvivedbydaughterJeanM.D'AquilaandsonRobertH.(Charlotte)Hill,bothofParkersburg,andtwograndchildren.
GeorgeLantzofParkersburgbecamefriendswithJudgeHillin1955whentheyenteredlawschooltogether."Hewasmy irstWestVirginiafriendwhenIcametoMorgantownfromPennsylvaniain1955,"Lantzsaid.
TheymovedtoParkersburgin1958andhadbeenfriendseversince."Hewaswellrespectedandhadanoutstandingcareerasalawyerandajudge,"Lantzsaid."Hewasneverhesitanttotakeonandmakethetoughdecisionsasacircuitjudge.Hewasagoodmanandhewillbemissedinthiscommunity."
Announcements
CIPOversightBoardMeetingscon irmedfor2012:February3,April27,August10,andOctober26.
CIPcross‐trainingconference—July23‐24,2012attheCharlestonMarriottandJuly26‐27,2012attheLakeviewResortinMorgantown.
AmendmentstotheRulesofProcedureforChildAbuseandNeglectProceedingswillgointoeffectonJanuary3,2012.Toseethechanges,gotothecourt’swebsite:www.courtswv.gov/legal‐community/court‐rules/Orders/2011/11‐22‐2011‐ChildAbuseNeglect.pdf.
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JudgeArthurRechtretiringinJanuary
JudgeArthurRechtisretiringJanuary31,2012.JudgeRechtwasappointedtotheFirstJudicialCircuit(Brooke,Hancock,andOhioCounties)in1981andelectedin1982‐83.Then‐GovernorGastonCapertonappointedJudgeRechttobeaJusticeontheWestVirginiaSupremeCourtfrom1994to1996to illtheunexpiredtermofretiredJusticeRichardNeely.In1996,hewasagainappointedtotheFirstJudicialCircuitandwaselectedin1998,2000,and2008.
JudgeRechtwasborninWheelingin1938andreceivedhislawdegreefromWestVirginiaUniversityCollegeofLawin1962.HewasthePresidentoftheJudicialAssociationfrom2002‐2003andreceivedtheDistinguishedWestVirginianAwardin1997.
JudgeRechtismarriedtotheformerKarenMarkhamandtheyhavetwosonsandtwogreat‐grandchildren.
CounselforJudicialInvestigtionCommissiontoretire
SkipGarten,CounselfortheWestVirginiaJudicialInvestigationCommissionforthelasttwenty‐nineyears,willretireonDecember31.AsCounsel,Mr.Gartenreviewseachcomplaintandeitherrefersthemattertoanexaminerforinvestigation,askstherespondentjudgeforaresponse,orsendsitdirectlytothemembersoftheCommissionforstudypriortoconsiderationatthenextmeeting.ThosecomplaintswhicharereferreddirectlytotheCommissionforconsiderationatameetingareeitherdismissedforlackofprobablecauseorreferredtoanexaminerforinvestigation.Mr.Gartenalsohandlesadvisoryopinionsforjudicialof icers.
TeresaTarrwashiredonNovember16asMr.Garten’sreplacement.Ms.Tarrhasbeenalawyerforabouttwenty‐oneyearsandhasspentthelasttwoandahalfyearsastheViolenceAgainstWomenResourceProsecutorattheWestVirginiaProsecutingAttorneysInstitute.Ms.TarrreceivedherlawdegreefromOhioNorthernUniversity.
Two AO staff members get graduate degrees TammyCollins,aSupremeCourtStatisticalAnalyst/Researcher,recentlyreceivedadoctoratedegreeinhumandevelopmentandfamilysciencefromTheOhioStateUniversity.Shealsohasamaster’sdegreeincounselingandabachelor’sdegreeinjournalism‐publicrelationsfromMarshallUniversity.
PriortoworkingattheSupremeCourt,Ms.CollinsheldpositionsasaPlanningandEvaluationSpecialistattheCenterforLearningExcellenceatTheOhioStateUniversity;PlanningandResearchAdministratorfortheOhioDepartmentofAlcoholandDrugAddictionServices;SeniorPlanningandEvaluationSpecialistwiththeWestVirginiaPreventionResourceCenterhousedatMarshallUniversityGraduateCollege;andshewasaPolicyandPlanningCoordinatorfortheStateofWestVirginia’sDivisionofCriminalJusticeServices.Ms.Collinsis42andlivesinMilton.
Children’sServices’AdministrativeAssistantTanyaWigginsrecentlyreceivedamaster’sdegreeincriminaljusticefromtheUniversityofCincinnati.
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Upcoming Holidays
December 26 — Christmas Day observed — Offices Closed
January 2 — New Year’s Day observed — Offices Closed
January 16 — Martin Luther King Day — Offices Closed
Justice Davis swears in last SOISO officers
JusticeRobinJeanDavissworeinsevensexoffenderintensivesupervisionof icers(SOISO)onNovember17intheSupremeCourtChamber,bringingthespecializedgroupofprobationof icerstofullforce.
Sixoftheof icerswillworkinRegionIV,whichcoversKanawha,Clay,Braxton,Gilmer,Webster,Nicholas,Calhoun,Jackson,andRoaneCounties.TheyareTeamCoordinatorR.JonathanFieldsandOf icersKristenDeRito,DonaldKing,AngelaPerdue,K.DavidSales,andChristopherSalmons,II.
JusticeDavisalsosworeinStephanieCamp,whois illingavacancyinRegionIII.ThatregioncoversBrooke,Doddridge,Hancock,Marshall,Ohio,Pleasants,Ritchie,Tyler,Wetzel,Wirt,andWoodCounties.
Thespecializedof icersworkunderprovisionsoftheChildProtectionActof2006(HouseBill101,passedJune14,2006).Thelawrequiresextendedsupervisionforsexoffenders,especiallythoseconvictedofcrimesagainstchildren.Theof icers’onlydutyistosupervisesexoffenders.
The irstgroupofsexoffenderprobationof icerswashiredinNovember2008.Thesupervisionprogramwasexpandedoneregionatatimethroughoutthestate.Withthehiringoftheseof icers,therearenowthirty‐threeSOISOof icersservingeverycountyinWestVirginia.
TheSOISOprogramwasdevelopedundertheleadershipofJusticeDaviswhenshewasChiefJusticein2006and2007.Hersupportwascrucialinre iningthevisionofthesupervisionprotocol.
From left to right: Christopher Salmons, Stephanie Camp (from Region III), Donald King, Angela Perdue, R. Jonathan Fields (team coordinator for Region IV), Kristen DeRito, and David Sales. Seated in front are Mike Lacy and Caren Bills. Photo by Jennifer Bundy
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The Early Days of Ohio County Magistrate Court By Ohio County Magistrate Joe Roxby
OnMay15th,1776,theRevolutionaryGovernmentofVirginiadeclaredindependencefromthe
mothercountry.Amongthe irstordersofbusinesswasthecreationofnewcountygovernments.OnJanuary6th1777,agroupoflandholdersweresummonedtoBlack’sTavern(presentdayWestLiberty)bythreemenappointedbytheVirginialegislaturetoformthebasisofgovernmentforOhioCoun‐ty.The irsttwoof icestobecreatedand illedbythatbodyweretheMagistrateCourtandSheriff’sOf ice.
Legendhasitthat,onceappointed,the irstsheriffimmediatelylefttownonafasthorsetoat‐tendanoutoftownlawenforcementconventionatcountyexpense.Nottobeoutdone,themagistratescancelledcourtfortheremainderofthedaysotheycouldattendasteakfryforabitofpolitickingatVanMeter’sfort.Humoraside,theof iceswouldshareaclosehistorythroughtheearlydays.By1800,thecustomhaddevelopedthat,liketoday,fourmagistrateswereelected.Theseniormostmemberofthatgrouptooktheof iceofSheriff,withtherestservingasmagistrates.
Thedutiesofthe irstsheriff,JohnMcColloch,werenotunlikethatofanyofhiscounterpartsinanyotherstate,lawenforcementandtaxcollection.Magistratecourtwasquiteanothermatter.Olderthanthestate,January6th,2012marksthe235thanniversaryofOhioCountyMagistrateCourt.Itismostinterestingtolookbackontheearliestdaysoftheinstitution.
Evenpriortotheof icialbirthofOhioCounty,ourmagistrate’scourtgotofftoarollickingstart.JurisdictionoftheareabetweenOhioandMonongahelaRivershadbeenasubjectofcontroversybetweentheroyalstatesofVirginiaandPennsylvania.Eachstateappointedtheirownmagistratesandby1775thedisputehadbecomesoheatedthatthePittsburghsheriffarrestedVirginia’svice‐governor.Inretaliation,Virginiaof icialsarrestedthreePennsylvaniamagistratesandsentthemsouthonaleakyboattoWheelingwheretheybecameunwillingguestsatthenewlyerectedFortHenry.TheKeystonejusticescomplained,“Wewereexposedtoeveryspeciesofinsultandabuse.”
TheFirstMagistrates
The irstfourmagistratestobeappointedattheirstcourtsessionwereDavidShepherd,SilasHedges,WilliamScott,andJamesCaldwell.LaterinthatsessionZachariahSprigg,ThomasWaller,andDanielMcLainwerealsosworninandJamesMcMechenwasappointedtheirstclerkofthecourt.SomeoftheotherearliestmagistrateswereSolomonHedges,EdwardRobinson,JamesMcMechen,JohnWilliamson,JohnBoggs,JohnRobinson,JohnDoddridge,JamesMiller,EbezenerZane,CharlesWellsandJamesGillaspy.The irstlawyerstobeadmittedtopracticeinthenewcourtwerePhillipPendletonandGeorgeBrant,butthisdidnothappenuntilNov.2nd1778.DavidShepherdwouldbecomethepre‐eminent igureofthatgroupandthesoulofthelocalgovernment.Hewasthe irstmagistrate,thesecondsheriff,andCountyLieutenantDespitethemilitarysoundingtitleoflatter,itwasacivilof icethatwasresponsibleforkeepingthemusterrollsofthemilitia.Ashorttimelaterhewasgiventhemilitaryof iceofColoneloftheOhioCountymilitia.
Possible site of the first Ohio County Courthouse.
Photo by Michael Switzer
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Worthnoting,simplytoaccepttheof iceofmagistrateoranyotherinthenewgovernmentwasachancyproposition.Of iceholderspostedtheirfarmsandpersonalpropertyasabondagainstanyinancialmalfeasance.Atleasttwoareasheriffsfromtheperiodleftof iceruined inanciallyasaresult.Further,inaveryrealsenseanyonewhoacceptedanyof icewasatraitortotheKingofEngland.Shouldtherevolutionfail,thehangman’snoosemightwellbetheirlot.Whilethose irstcountyof icialsmayhavebeenoutofKingGeorge’simmediatereach,hismercenaries,theIndians,werecloseathand.RoyalwrathwouldfallonOhioCountyinfullfuryinthecomingsummerandfall.
ThebirthyearofthecountywouldberememberedonthefrontierastheYearoftheBloodySevenswithgoodreason.Bythesummerof1777,conditionsinthecountyhadbecomesodangerousduetoIndianraidsthatcivilgovernmentwassuspended.NearlyeveryOhioCountyfamilywouldloseamemberandinsomecasesnonewerelefttotellthetale.Manyfamilieswouldleavetheareabeforewinter.Addingtothechaos,neighborsbegantovieweachotherwithsuspicionaslocalToriessuspect‐edofpassinginformationtotheIndiansbecameanearlyasgreataworry.SeveralLoyalistsinneighboringWashingtonCounty,PAwouldmeetwithsuspiciousaccidentsontheirwaytotrial.
Foranewgovernmenttosurvivesodireacrisisarealleaderhadtoemergeandforthatreasonour irstmagistrate,DavidShepherd,deservesspecialmention.OriginallyfromBerkeleyCounty,hecametotheareaabout1773.ThefollowingyearhebuiltagristmillatandafamilyfortatMonumentPlace.Hisdaughter‐in‐lawLydiadescribedhimas,“Episcopalian,alittleshortofsixfeet,corpulent,240poundsweight,lightcomplexion,blueeyes,greatgoodsense,brave,honest,liberalandbenevolent,greatlyloved.”Hebrie lyassumednearlydictatorialpowersandforthesecondhalfof1777,thecountygovernmentwaslocatedwhereverCol.Shepherdhappenedtobeseated.Histalealsodemonstratedtheperilsofpowerandhowharshfrontierlifecouldbe.OnSeptember1st,1777,hewasthecommanderofthefortatthe irstsiegeofFortHenry.HehadthebriefjoyofseeinghisoldestsonWilliamescapeanambushwheremostofhisfellowsoldiershadbeenkilled,onlytoseehimtomahawkedashewatchedfromthewallsofthefort,justyardsfromsafety.AcoupleofhourslaterShepherdsawhisson‐in‐law,FrancisDuke,shotoutofthesaddlejustoutsidethegatesashetriedtoridetothereliefofthefort.
IfDavidShepherddeservesspecialmentionastheembodimentofcivicvirtue,earlymagistrateSamMasondeservesitfortheoppositereason.Thoughnotlistedinprimarysources,periodhistorianBoydCrumrinelistshimasanOhioCountymagistrateinhisexcellentHistoryofWashingtonCounty
MasonwasamilitiacaptainandaheroofFortHenry.IronicallyhewasasurvivorofthesameambushwhereShepherd’ssonwaskilled.Helefttheareaabout1782,andby1800,hadbecomeoneofthemostfearedandbloodthirstybrownwaterpiratesonthelowerOhioandMississippiRivers.JohnJamesAudubonwouldwritein1815,“ThenameofMasonisstillfamiliartomanyofthenavigatorsonthelowerOhioandMississippi.Bydintofindustryinbaddeeds,hebecameanotorioushorsestealer,formingalineofworthlessassociatesfromtheeasternpartofVirginiatoNewOrleans,....Hisdepredationswerethetalkofthewholewesterncountry.”(2)AmericanWildWesthistorianPaulWellmanwouldlaterrefertoSamMasonas“the irstrealgeniusofoutlawryonthefrontier.”
EarlyCivilDuties
TheFirstMagistrateCourtwieldedavastamountofauthority.Itwasnotthatourearlymagistrateswerepowerhungry;itwassimplyacaseofnogovernmentandthoseearlyjusticessteppedinto illaveryurgentvoidTheOhioRiverrepresentedtheedgeofcivilization.Beyondtheriver’sedgeexistedonlythetriballawandwhatexistedeastoftheVirginiashorewasmostrudimentary.Thefrontiersocietyofthattimewasanunusualmixoffaithandfelony.Earlypioneerslefttheirdoorsunlockedsothatawayfarermight indsheltershouldthefamilynotbepresent.Itwasalsosodangerousthatoutlawsonthetrailmightmurderastrangersimplyforhisclothing.
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Atthattime,OhioCountyconsistedofallfourcountiesthatmakeuptheNorthernPanhandle.Intoday’stermsthebodyatBlack’sTaverneffectivelyoperatedasMagistrateCourt,CircuitCourt,CountyCommissionandroughlysplitthedutiesofAssessorwiththeSheriffTheyprobatedwills,heardlibelcases,grantedlicensesandestablishedpricesfortaverns,registeredhogbrands,orderedroadsbuilt,andsettledjuvenilemattersforgoodmeasure.Thefollowingordersarefromtheearliestrecordsanddemonstratethewidelyvarieddutiesofthecourt.
OrderedthatEbenezerZane,ConradWheatandSamMason,agreeabletotheformerorderofthiscourtforthepurposeoflayingoutthemostdirectwayforaroadfromFortHenrytothe irstforksoftheWheeling(ElmGrove). OrderedthatJamesFitzpatrick,anorphanchild,beboundtoSamBrucetolearntheartandmysteryofaTayloruntilheshallarriveattheageofTwentyOne. UponthemotionofJacobNewland,orderedthathismarkacropintheleftear&holeintherightearberecorded. WilliamCaldwellvs.IsaacTaylor,dismissed,notproperlyserved.
OrderedthatalicensebegranteduntoJacobWolfforkeepinganOrdinary(Inn)athishome. OrderedthatOrdinary(Inn)KeepersinthisCountysellatthefollowingrates,
ForHalfpintWhisky6dollarsBreakfastorSupper6dollarsForahorsetohayfor24hours6dollarsFor1Qt.strongbeer4dollars
(3)CriminalLaw
The irstmagistratesatBlack’sTavernwereastern‐eyedgentryinaniron‐handedageRawwhiskeyandrough‐sawedjusticewereservedupatthesamebar.Frontierlifewasruggedanddangerous,andthosewhometedoutjusticedidnotsufferfoolsgladly.OneshouldrememberthateveninthemorecivilizedMerryOldEnglandatthatpoint,therewerestillover100offensescarriedthedeathpenalty.Slaveryandindenturedservitudewerelegalandduelingwascommon.OurlegalforefatherswereclearlynotaffectedbyanyQuakerishnotionsofrestorativejustice.Thegreatchronicleroftheperiod,Rev.JosephDoddridge,simplynotedthatthecommonbeliefwas“athiefshouldbewhipped.”Forminoroffenses,theguiltyonewouldcarrythe lagontheirback,thirteenstripes,andformajoroffensesitwasthebiblicalfortyminusone,welllaidon.
Notably,afterorderingconstructionofacourthouseandjail,thenextitemspurchasedwerestocksandawhippingpost.Doddridgealsostated,“FormanyyearsafterthelawwasputintooperationinthewesternpartofVirginiathemagistrateswereinthehabitofgivingthosewhowerebroughtbeforethemonchargesofsmalltheftsthelibertyofbeingsenttojailortakingawhipping.Thelatterwascommonlychosenandwasimmediatelyin licted,afterwhichthethiefwasorderedtoclearout….Hewasthereinformedthathemustdecampinsomanydaysandbeseentherenomoreonpenaltyofhavingthenumberofstripesdoubled.”
(4)Locallawenforcementwasnodoubtdelightedasthissystemdramaticallycutdownthere‐cidivistrateandthecountycommissionerswereequallyoverjoyedaboutthereductioninjailcosts.
Forconductthatoffendedpublic‐at‐largesensibilities,butnotquitemeritingcapitalpunishment,therewereextra‐judicialpunishmentsmetedoutbythecommunitysuchas“tarandfeath‐ering”oranexercisesimplyknownas“hatingouttheoffender.”
Whenthecourtimposed inestheyweregiventheywerepaidintobacco,cornorotherproduce.Thepapermoneyincirculationatthetimewasalmostworthlessandhardcoinwasnearlynon‐existent.Laborwassometimesacceptedasasubstitute.
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TheFirstJailandCourthouse
Oneofthe irstordersofbusinessforthenewcountygovernmentwasthebuildingofapropercourthouse.Noaccountofthosewouldbecompletewithoutadescriptionofour irstcourthouseandjail.
“ADiamondCorneredhouseofDimentionsTwentyTwobyeighteenfeetintheClear,oneStory&onehalfhigh,a loorabove&belowofhewdorsawnplank;TenJoiceintheupper loor,nineortenfeethigh;intheLowerStoryaCoart’sBenchandClark’sTableTwowindowsofeightlightseacheightbyteninches;apairofstairs&CabbinRoof;aplainDoor&hingesofIron;likewiseplainwindowShutters,withIronhinges” AJailTwentybysixteenfeetontheoutside,theLoggsofthewallstoberound&Closelaidtheloft;loorsandpartitionstobeofloggssquaridtoeightinchesthick;TwoRoundsofLoggsabovetheLoft;Cab-binRoof’d&windowsagreeable;AStoneChimneywithIronGates,thedoorsdonewithnails,LockSuf i-cient;theLoftandFloortohaveeachaLargeSummurSupportingtheminthemiddle.(5)
ThesestructureswouldserveuntiltheseatofgovernmentwasmovedfromWestLibertytoWheeling.Courtwas irstheldinTheFriendlyCityonMay8th,1798.ForabawdyandbrawlingrivertownlikeWheelingwasduringthatperiod,itwas ittingthathardliquorandhardjurisprudenceshouldonceagainservedatthesamebar.ThistimeitwasatalocaltavernknownasGooding’sInn.Bytheearly1800s,anewcourthousewas inishedintheareaof10thandMainstreets.Ifanyoneexpectedanysofteningofattitudetowardbadbehavior,theyweresadlymistakenasWheeling’s irstcourthousewasalsoequippedwithawhippingpost.Whatelsewouldoneexpectfromatownwhosenameisde‐rivedfromaDelawarewordmeaning“PlaceoftheSkull.” Thisauthorknowsofnopicturesofthatstructuretoexist,butitmusthavebeenanoddlookingbuilding.Itwasdescribedasasquarestructurewithafour‐sidedroofandacupolainthecenter.Anearlyvisitorwholookedatitremarked,“Folksheremustbeawfullyfondofham,whyelsewouldtheybuildsuchalargesmokehouse?”Itwasnotuntil1839thatamoredigni iedstructurewas inishedat12thandChaplinestreetswherethepresentdayBoardofTradebuildingnowstands.Anaside,OhioCounty’slasthangingwascarriedoutprivatelyinthejailintherearofthatbuildingin1893.Thelargescalepublicexecutionsperformedinthemid‐1800shadbythistimefallenoutoffavor. Thisyearaswecelebratethe235thanniversaryofour irstjudiciary,allfourNorthernPanhandlemagistratecourtscanclaimdescentfromthatearliestlogcabincourt.Whenourpresentservingmagistratesarehavingabaddayduetomalfunctioningequipmentoroverzealousattorneys,theyshouldtakeheart.Theywoulddowelltoremembertheearliestdaysofourcourtswheretheyhadatomahawkforagavel,alongri leforabailiff,andthecommutetoworkduringtheIndianraidingseasoncouldbearealkiller.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Lobdell, Jared C. (ed.), Indian Warfare in Western Pennsylvania and North West Virginia at the Time of the American Revolu-on, Bowie, MD, Heritage Books, 1992.
Wellman, Paul I., Spawn of Evil, Garden City, New York, Doubleday & Co., 1964.
Crumrine, Boyd (ed.), Ohio County Book of Order, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, L.H. Everts & Co., 1882. Doddridge, Joseph, Notes on the Se lement and Indian Wars of the Western Parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania (1824), Pi s-burgh, John S. Ritenour & William T. Lindley (eds.), 3rd ed., 1912.
Crumrine, Boyd, Ohio County Book of Order, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, L.H. Everts & Co., 1882