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Sunday, April 09, 2006

Ind. Courts - "Scott judge will appoint special prosecutor to see if allegation against prosecutor merits charge"

"Special judge to study case: Scott judge will appoint special prosecutor to see if allegation against prosecutor merits charge" was the headline to a story by Aubrey Woods Friday in the Seymour Daily Tribune. Some quotes:

BROWNSTOWN — A Scott County judge has assumed jurisdiction over a case stemming from a March 2 incident between the Jackson County prosecutor and a former deputy prosecutor.

That incident between Prosecutor Stephen Pierson and Seymour attorney Mark Risser occurred in the Jackson County Courthouse, according to Risser’s complaint.

Risser filed the complaint the following day with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and said Pierson, who fired Risser in June 2004, verbally threatened him with bodily harm, his right hand clenched into a fist, as two of Risser’s clients stood nearby. * * *

Jackson Circuit Judge Bill Vance said Friday that Sheriff Jerry Hounshel asked him to appoint a special prosecutor to determine if it is appropriate to have criminal charges filed against Pierson.

The code of judicial conduct, however, does not allow Vance to participate in the selection of a special prosecutor.

Vance also said Friday that state statute requires that the judges of four courts from outside the county participate in a random drawing, and the judge selected would then consider appointing a special prosecutor.

The four courts in this case are Bartholomew Circuit Court, Bartholomew Superior Court 2, Scott Superior Court and Jennings Circuit Court.

Jackson County Clerk Sarah Benter conducted that drawing earlier this week, and Scott Superior Court Nicholas L. South was selected.

For background, see this 3/11/06 Tribune story headlined "Attorney wants charge against prosecutor: Confrontation outside courtroom spurs filing of criminal complaint."

Posted by Marcia Oddi on April 9, 2006 12:06 PM
Posted to Indiana Courts