Courtroom

Dear Editor, I just read Mr. Kleffman's story on courtroom attire. First of all, how did such a story make front page news? The Advocate-Messenger must be desperate. Why give an audience to such? I, for one, would like to applaud Judge Booth for the courage and professionalism displayed in punishing Ms. Arnold, after being warned, for her attire. Between the lines, it appeared Mr. Kleffman was trying to be critical of Judge Booth. We need more judges who are willing to stand up in our courtrooms and make them a place of dignity and professionalism.

"Murder and mystery, society, sex and suspense . . . combined in such a manner as to intrigue and captivate public fancy to a degree perhaps unparalleled in recent annals. . . ," were the words used to describe the murder trial of Dr. Sam Sheppard. The spectacle began July 4, 1954, when Sheppard awoke to the sound of his pregnant wife Marilyn crying out from her bedroom. Upon entering the room Sheppard saw a "form" standing near Marilyn. After being struck in the head, Sheppard briefly passed out and when awakened determined that Marilyn was dead.

HARRODSBURG - Proceedings in Mercer Circuit Court were interrupted Tuesday morning as screams penetrated the closed doors of the second-floor courtroom and caused Judge Darren Peckler to pause on the bench. Bailiffs rushed from the courtroom and other courthouse personnel from their offices toward the shrieks, which had come from the first floor. They expected to find some sort of trouble, but instead discovered a smiling group of women huddled in the hallway. "We're really sorry," said one of the women, Allison Leonard, 32, an exotic dancer at a Lexington club.

Sentencing hearings in Judge Darren Peckler's circuit courtroom at the Boyle County Courthouse became more eventful than expected Tuesday morning as one defendant lost consciousness and another attempted to escape custody. According to police, during the proceedings, Crystal Sturgeon, 28, who was being sentenced for flagrant non-support, fainted in the courtroom about noon. Assistant Boyle County Sheriff Marty Elliott said bailiff Dustin Clem, who is also a registered paramedic, went to Sturgeon's aid. As Clem moved to assist Sturgeon, another defendant, Betty Hadley, allegedly attempted to flee the courtroom.

Dear Editor, My congratulations to The Advocate-Messenger for the leadership it has shown in blogging the Caldwell murder trial. This blog keeps those of us not in the courtroom informed of interesting details and insightful comments on this history-making trial. Law schools will use this blog to embellish the court record, which I am sure will be of great interest to judicial scholars. The inside the courtroom blog is an excellent use of technology, as Mr. Nelson learned at a national journalism conference.

Boyle County Judge-Executive Tony Wilder will hold a press conference today at 2 p.m. in the fiscal courtroom of the courthouse. Wilder would say only that the conference is regarding his future. Rumors have been swirling about the possibility that Wilder will be given a position in the administration of Gov. Steve Beshear.

Dear Editor: We are writing in support of Judge Debra Lambert. To this group protesting, our question is, Why are you in Judge Lambert's courtroom? People who do the right thing do not go to court. We teach our children by example, respect and values. Thank you, Judge Lambert, for caring and hard work. The children need you to be their advocate. Keep it up. Charlie and Georgia Mingo Danville

Dear Editor, Judge Peckler understands that appearing before the court system can be an intimidating and frightening experience for some individuals. His professional courtroom demeanor helps to alleviate that discomfort and those fears. He often replaces difficult legal terminology with everyday language to simplify and clarify the proceedings so that the average person feels comfortable. He also makes sure that jurors understand procedures and are comfortable in their service to the courts.

Dear Editor, I am writing in response to the article about the race for family court judge in Lincoln, Rockastle and Pulaski counties. I am pleased to know that (former District Judge Walter) Maguire has come out of retirement to unseat Debra Lambert. If ever there was a time to send her packing, the time is now. I have been in her closed courtroom, and I can argue without a shadow of a doubt that she does NOT treat people with "dignity and respect. " She is hateful, belittling and rude, and she destroys families without a moment's pause.

HARRODSBURG - Renovation of the Mercer County Courthouse costing more than $165,000 will get under way soon. Vance Mitchell of the state Administrative Office of the Courts told the Fiscal Court Tuesday morning that the work will have to begin before June 30, the end of the current fiscal year, if it is to be paid for mostly with AOC monies. Mitchell estimated the work, which includes replacing the flat part of the roof where the clock tower sits, will cost about $149,000.

For the families of Ryan Shangraw and Bo Upton, the long wait for justice is over. Seven years after the two Stanford men were killed in a trailer in Hubble, the last of those convicted in the crimes were sentenced last Friday by Judge Jeffrey Burdette. The sentencing date had been set when three of the accused, Deonte Simmons, Charles Smith and Neccolus Mundy accepted a plea deal in July to avoid a trial that could have resulted in a death sentence for all the three. Matthew Tolson, who took a plea deal in February, was not sentenced at that time because the deal hinged on his testimony against the remaining four accused.

Former Garrard County Emergency Management Director Dwayne Nave was formally sentenced on Thursday to five years in prison. Nave was driving while intoxicated in an SUV owned by Garrard County in April 2007 when he crashed into a truck driven by Willard Quinn of Parksville, who was also intoxicated. Quinn died in the crash and his passenger, Kevin Reed was seriously injured. Nave was originally charged with murder, first-degree assault and driving under the influence. He recently worked out a deal with the state prosecutor, pleading guilty to reckless homicide, fourth-degree assault and first-offense DUI, in exchange for a sentence of just five years in jail.

Lexington VA Med Center is seeking volunteers Volunteers provide many important services at the Lexington Veterans Administration Medical Center. Participants must be 14 years or older and attend one of the orientation sessions at the Cooper Division, Main Building in the second floor auditorium. Sessions will be 10 a.m. July 11; 3 p.m. July 23; 10 a.m. Aug. 10; and 10 a.m. Aug. 22. Information on volunteer assignments and everything else potential volunteers need to know about how to assist America's veterans will be covered at these sessions.

Sentencing hearings in Judge Darren Peckler's circuit courtroom at the Boyle County Courthouse became more eventful than expected Tuesday morning as one defendant lost consciousness and another attempted to escape custody. According to police, during the proceedings, Crystal Sturgeon, 28, who was being sentenced for flagrant non-support, fainted in the courtroom about noon. Assistant Boyle County Sheriff Marty Elliott said bailiff Dustin Clem, who is also a registered paramedic, went to Sturgeon's aid. As Clem moved to assist Sturgeon, another defendant, Betty Hadley, allegedly attempted to flee the courtroom.

A Nicholasville woman is behind bars after allegedly threatening two attorneys and Jessamine Circuit Judge Janet Booth Monday morning. Sheri Moses, 44, has been charged three counts of terroristic threatening, a Class D felony, punishable by 1-5 years in prison on each count. "The threat was if her child got locked up, everyone would die, and she would blow up all their houses," Nicholasville Police Officer Scott Harvey said. Moses was booked into the Jessamine County Detention Center where she awaits pretrial.

By Michael Broihier With less than two weeks before his jury trial begins, Jamarkos Campbell, a suspect in the Upton/Shangraw murders, was in court Friday as Judge Jeffrey Burdette decided on some motions and made some preliminary instructions on filling the jury, the presentation of evidence and media in the court. Assistant Commonwealth Attorney David Dalton said that this kind of detail work is typical of high stakes trials. Campbell will be standing trial alone, with jury selection beginning on April 6. Deonte Simmons, Charles Smith and Neccolus Mundy will be tried together in mid-July.

By Michael Broihier Lincoln County Emergen-cy Manager Winford Todd was asked to resign Tuesday by the fiscal court, but Todd was defiant, refusing to resign and having to be escorted from the courthouse by Sheriff Curt Folger. He was subsequently fired. Todd and the county have faced strong criticism over their response to the recent storm emergency, and the Fiscal Court is under pressure to improve on its preparedness. Representatives of Stan-ford and county fire, emergency and law enforcement services, as well as the American Red Cross, almost filled the Lincoln County courtroom as the meeting began, believing that the county's response to the recent ice storm and ongoing recovery were to be discussed.

Dear Editor, I just read Mr. Kleffman's story on courtroom attire. First of all, how did such a story make front page news? The Advocate-Messenger must be desperate. Why give an audience to such? I, for one, would like to applaud Judge Booth for the courage and professionalism displayed in punishing Ms. Arnold, after being warned, for her attire. Between the lines, it appeared Mr. Kleffman was trying to be critical of Judge Booth. We need more judges who are willing to stand up in our courtrooms and make them a place of dignity and professionalism.

LANCASTER - You be the judge. Accompanying this story is a picture, taken Thursday, of Kirstie Arnold wearing the same shorts and shirt she wore to Garrard District Court last month. If you were on the bench and Arnold appeared before you so dressed, would you think it inappropriate? Disruptive to the proceedings? Would you find her in contempt of court? Throw her in jail? For Garrard District Judge Janet Booth, the answer to those questions is "yes. " Booth sent Arnold to jail on Aug. 18 because of the way she dressed for court.

Park and ride meeting The Clark County Judge-Executive's Office will host a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to continue discussion on a local "park and ride" program. The meeting will be held in the fiscal courtroom at the Clark County Courthouse. Winchester Rotary Club The Winchester Rotary Club will meet Friday at noon at the Winchester Country Club. Right Angle Lodge 233 Right Angle Lodge No. 233, F. & A. M. will meet in stated communication at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.