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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Featured Galleries: April 21, 2007 Complaint against Judge Orf dropped By Chris Conrad For the Tidings MEDFORD — An Oregon commission governing the conduct of judges dismissed a complaint against Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Rebecca Orf, alleging ethical misconduct during a police investigation into a fatal, two-car crash in Medford. The Oregon Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability declined last June to investigate the complaint, filed in February 2006 by Randy Schoen, then deputy chief of Medford police. Neither the complaint nor the June letter are public record. The Mail Tribune learned of the letter this week and obtained a copy of it from Rebecca Orf's attorney, Brad Tellam. Orf decline to comment Friday, saying she would only confirm that she received the letter dismissing the complaint. Schoen had also filed a complaint against Orf's husband, defense attorney David Orf, with the Oregon State Bar. Schoen alleged that the Orfs had interfered with the investigation of the February 2005 crash caused by Ashland teen Kevan Thatcher-Stephens. The bar announced on April 3 it had found no evidence that David Orf violated any rules of professional conduct. On Feb. 11, 2005, Thatcher-Stephens sped through Medford in a Jeep Cherokee with a Jackson County sheriff patrol behind him and collided with a Chevrolet Blazer driven by Charles Ashley Bench of Shady Cove. Both Thatcher-Stephens, 17, and Bench, 26, were killed and a passenger in each vehicle was injured. Police could never confirm where Thatcher-Stephens, who was intoxicated, had been drinking before the crash, but some witnesses said he had been partying at the Orfs' home in the previous week. The Orfs were out of the country at the time, but their son Drew, then 17, was at home. Detectives expressed frustration during their investigation, alleging the Orfs had contacted several people who may have had knowledge of Thatcher-Stephens' drinking and told them not to cooperate with police. Schoen, who is now Medford chief of police, was in training for the week and unavailable for comment Friday. Current Comments: Lawyers clearing lawyers while trust fund brats are learning deception and continued unrealistic expectations. Surprise, surprise. Thank you Chief Schoen for your courage in callling BS on a sitting judge and her lawyer husband. Although the foxes guarding the hen houses didn't agree with you, the average man in Jackson County appreciates the fact that judges and lawyers can be called for their indiscretions. Shame on the bar and judicial fitness commission for their lack of integrity. Shazam - Shazamabad - April 21st, 9:25 PM They can avoid the truth. They can advise people to "not remember". But they can't wash the blood off their hands. Avoiding the truth keeps the victims from being assisted as their lives are ruined. The tragedy continues as the surviving victim has gotten zero compensation. The dummy drunk driving the SUV unauthorized "borrowed" the rig, so the insurance won't pay the victim who can no longer work, play, and barely can walk. Enjoy your lavish home, wife judge and husband attorney. You suck Manuel - ashland - April 24th, 8:18 PM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising: Debt Help Inkjet Printers Payday Loans Free Ringtones Debt Consolidation Security Systems Debt Relief New Hampshire Primary Advertisement: Copyright © 2007 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved. Del.icio.us