I just got this e-mail from DeWayne Bartels of the Peoria Times-Observer:
Judge James E. Shadid today recused himself from the case of alleged serial rapist Monterius Hinkle. Shadid recused himself because he made a $250 political contribution to Peoria County State’s Attorney Kevin Lyons’ campaign in April, a fact uncovered this morning by the Peoria Times-Observer. See more at www.peoriatimesobserver.com
Kudos to DeWayne for his excellent investigative work.
Everyone in the whole courthouse is going to have to recuse themselves from this one. Good luck.
Has the judge presided over any other cases that Lyons (or his office) have tried???? This seems to me that it could be a much bigger deal than just this one case.
I would have to agree with 11Bravo. Even in the less-than-pristine world of Peoria County politics, a sitting judge contributing to the state’s attorneys’ campaign certainly flunks the smell test.
I’m sorry, but there’s no way he should be hearing criminal cases in Peoria County. It opens him up to all kinds of claims by defense attorneys.
Mouse: There are counties FAR less-than-pristine than Peoria County.
I’d be much more concerned if a sitting state’s attorney OR trial attorneys were contributing to judges.
Maybe we need to check out THOSE contributions …
Looking at Lyons contributor list at the website another blogger put up last night
http://www.elections.il.gov/campaigndisclosure/Welcome.aspx (then find the office and candidates’ name)
was very interesting reading as well as the contributors for LaHood.
Judge Shadid made it quite clear that he did not “have” to recuse himself in this case. He simply beleived that, in light of the role this particular case was playing in the state’s attorney’s race, he decided that his stepping aside would allow the case to proceed more smoothly. Recusal is something the judge does on his/her own and is not subject to challenge or review. Does anyone really believe that a $250 contribution would have any impact on how a case is determined?
DD, yes it most certainly does. And whether he “had” to recuse himself or not is not up to his judgment when it comes to the appearance of impropriety.
Now if the judge made donations to both campaigns, or better yet, made none at all then it would be different.
Not arguing with anything you say Billy.
Let’s check ’em all.
In reviewing the list of contributions, I noticed that Judge Kouri also donated to a state’s attorney campaign this year, $250 to Darin Lahood. It was also interesting how many other campaigns he’d contribued to including the majority of the city council members supporting Darin. Good to be part of the team I guess.