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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,contactDeborahBoganat304‐558‐6831ordeborah.bogan@courtswv.gov

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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