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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 26, 2005 King defends himself before judicial panel By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune A state commission investigating whether Justice of the Peace Robert King should retain his seat and salary Tuesday instead urged him and Jackson County to settle differences that led to the removal of his court in 2004. Whether negotiations that started late in the afternoon resulted in an agreement is not known. If they were unsuccessful, King will return to federal court in Medford today to defend himself against multiple misconduct allegations before the Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability. "My own hope is that (King) is exonerated," said his lawyer, Michael Kellington. "I want him to feel there is some justice in this world." Three attorneys, three judges and a citizen appointed by the governor listened to evidence presented by Special Counsel David Paradis Tuesday morning. King’s 2004 drug charge — a non- criminal citation for possessing one-eighth of an ounce of marijuana — and allegations of an overall lack of professionalism were presented before the hearing commission panel. Witnesses included Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters, County Administrator Sue Slack and County Auditor Debbie Taylor. Jackson County commissioners have said they want King to resign or be removed from office by recall. The 60-year-old justice of the peace, who lives in Gold Hill, was elected to his fifth term in 2002 and can continue to collect his $36,000 annual salary until his term expires in 2009. Advertisement Shortly before Tuesday’s lunch break, a judiciary panelist asked Slack if the county had requested King resign or had engaged in settlement negotiations with him. The panelist asked Slack if the county was hoping the commission would find King judicially unfit so it could terminate his annual salary. "That has not been considered," said Slack. Kellington rebutted claims King has been derelict in his duties. He said the county allowed Winters to move his citations to a new court in Central Point and removed King’s staff. A new justice, Joe Charter, was elected in November 2004. Kellington asked Slack her opinion on the fact King has no staff, no cases and no courtroom. "My opinion is the court is dormant," said Slack. "He is not hearing any case as there are no cases." Winters rerouted his department’s tickets out of King’s court immediately after the judge’s June 11, 2004, citation, stating "I don’t think the guy in the black robe should be doing dope." Kellington said Winter’s department participated in a political sting over King’s refusal to cooperate with county plans to relocate the justice court to Central Point. Winters has flatly denied the accusations. King pleaded guilty to the marijuana citation and has completed his diversion program, said Kellington. Court will resume at 8 a.m. today. Absent any settlement agreement between King and the county, Paradis will continue to question witnesses over alleged misconduct by King. Then Kellington will present King’s case. "We have witnesses from all over the state," said Kellington. If the commission finds that King violated the Code of Judicial Conduct, it will make a recommendation to the Oregon Supreme Court regarding an appropriate sanction, said commission Executive Director Susan Isaacs. "Only the Supreme Court has the authority and jurisdiction in judicial disciplinary cases," said Isaacs. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail King defends himself before judicial panel ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Cheap Website Hosting Discount Hotel Reservations Online Pharmacy Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans High End Computers Online Casino News Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Online Casino Fundraisers Advertisement s