It’s a basic cornerstone of the American justice system that judges must not participate in cases in which they have a conflict of interest or even the appearance of one.
That’s why state Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs promptly and publicly recused herself from the court’s consideration of a lawsuit filed by her opponent in last fall’s election — Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin — challenging the outcome.
Weirdly and disturbingly, however, Griffin has yet to follow suit. Instead, he’s simply issued a vague statement that he quote, “won’t participate” in the case should it come before the court on which he sits. And that’s simply not enough. A plainspoken, public and official recusal is required.
And that’s also the case for two other Court of Appeals judges, Tom Murry and Valerie Zachary, whose campaigns financially supported Griffin’s last fall — actions that, apart from the election case, raise important ethical concerns.
The bottom line: Judge Griffin seeks a seat on the state’s highest court. His actions since last November provide little evidence that he’s ready to fill such a position.
For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.
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