Friday, August 01, 2014

Bar endorses supreme court justices
Nine members of the Cocke County Bar Association meeting Thursday went on record opposing “the politicization of the Judicial Retention Process as it relates to the current retention vote of Chief Justice Gary Wade, Justice Sharon Lee and Justice Connie Clark.” The bar says recent robo calls, TV commercials and direct mailers urging replacement of the justices accusing them of voting to uphold or support ObamaCare and of being lenient on death penalty cases. “These accusations are absolute lies !,” say the bar members. They point out that the Affordable Care Act also known as Obama Care, is a federal law, and was never presented to the Tennessee Supreme Court. And they point out that the trio have voted to uphold convictions in 20 of the 21 capital murder cases that were considered. Tennessee Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey has instituted an effort to remove the justices, all of whom were appointed by Democrat Governor Phil Bredesen. And a legal committee including appointees by the Lt. Governor also recently voted to recommend that the trio be retained. “The Cocke County Bar Association would urge voters to make their vote an informed and educated vote,” the statement says. But Newport attorney Roger Smith says he was tied up in a court case and did not attend the meeting. He tells the NewsSource he opposes the move by the bar believing each member should act on their own. Smith argues the bar should not be involved in political activities, adding that he personally has no position on the retention issue. "I also don't believe the Lt. Governor should have inserted politics into the judicial system,” he added. Retired Fourth Judicial District Attorney general Al Schmutzer, Jr., also has issued a statement endorsing Chief Justice Wade of Sevierville for retention. "He has done alot for our communities and state, both on and off the bench, and deserves our support," says Schmutzer.


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