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Saturday, March 13, 2010
Ind. Decisions - More on: Supreme Court suspends LaPorte County judge
Updating this ILB entry from March 11, 2010, Matt Field of the LaPorte Argus Herald writes today:
Judge Jennifer Evans-Koethe apologized to La Porte County residents Friday in press release and said she looks forward to resuming her duties after her court-ordered 60-day suspension.The Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday accepted an agreement between Evans-Koethe and the Indiana Judicial Qualifications Commission and suspended the beleaguered judge for 60 days for misconduct and stipulated other provisions as well.
“I am truly sorry for those actions and apologize to the citizens of La Porte County for any conduct of mine that has not promoted the public’s confidence in the judiciary,” Evans-Koethe said in the statement. * * *
Although a grand jury indicted her for attempted obstruction of justice, she was acquitted by a jury in January.
“Although I was not guilty of a crime by a jury of my peers, I am accepting responsibility for the actions that have not reflected the standard of conduct that a judge is required to uphold,” Evans-Koethe said in the statement.
Evans-Koethe had been suspended with pay until the Supreme Court decision Thursday.
In addition to the unpaid suspension, the agreement Evans-Koethe made with the Indiana Judicial Qualifications Commission stipulates that for one year after she resumes her judgeship, she will recuse herself when certain witnesses that had been involved in her investigation are to appear in court.
She also will seek to address underlying personal issues.
“Upon the completion of my suspension, I look forward to moving on with my life, resuming my duties as judge and restoring the public’s confidence in my position,” Evans-Koethe said.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on March 13, 2010 01:33 PM
Posted to Indiana Courts