Legal News

Thanks to W.Va. Case, Recusal Week Goes On!

By Ashby Jones

Just when we thought it was time to turn the page on Recusal Week here at the Law Blog, lo-and-behold, there’s more news to report.

We told you earlier this week about the situation involving Elliott “Spike” Maynard (pictured), the Chief Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court. Justice Maynard and Don Blankenship, the CEO of Massey Energy (pictured, right) dined together — and were photographed together — in Monte Carlo during the summer of 2006 at the same time Massey was appealing a big jury verdict against it to the court. A little more than a year later, Justice Maynard voted with the majority in a 3-to-2 decision in favor of Massey.

Earlier this week, a group of other energy companies moved to have Justice Maynard’s vote thrown out and to have him DQed from the case. Today, Maynard agreed to remove himself from a pending case involving Massey Energy. Here’s the story from the AP.

Maynard said he was stepping down from the matter “despite the fact that I have no doubt in my own mind and firmly believe I have been and would be fair and impartial in this case.” He added: “it has now become an issue of public perception and public confidence in the courts.”

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on January 18, 2008 (boomark / email).