Judge “Naughty” In Trouble with the Circuit Court
Dakine passed on this Denver Post article focusing on the Circuit Court’s decision to have Nacchio’s case tried by a different judge.
Nottingham wrongly, according to the appellate court, excluded an expert witness the defense wanted to present. He didn’t even let the defense make arguments on the matter when it came up during the trial.
His demeanor during the trial and sentencing was full of cutting comments and, at sentencing, he included a lecture on morality and greed.
Though the appellate judges weren’t specific, they did say that the trial transcript led them to conclude that "it would be unreasonably difficult to expect this judge to retry the case with a fresh mind."
While the appeals court said it wasn’t implying bias by sending the retrial to another judge, they sure were saying something. And it wasn’t complimentary.
While the article suggests there is no relation between Nacchio’s trial and Nottingham’s other problems–the revelation he was surfing porn in his chambers, soliciting prostitutes, and stealing handicapped spots from disabled people–I do find it rather interesting that the Court has hired an investigator to look into those ethical allegations.
A former FBI agent has been hired to investigate Colorado’s top federal judge who was recently linked to an investigation into a Denver-based prostitution ring.
Former FBI agent David Brundage is working for the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in its investigation of Judge Edward Nottingham for alleged judicial misconduct in two cases, ABC News has learned.
[snip]
When contacted by ABC News, Brundage declined to comment as did a spokesperson for the 10th Circuit Court.
It sure makes you wonder about the scope of the investigation for the Court. Does it go beyond stealing handicapped parking spots?
Update: spelling error fixed per brendanx.