Due Process for Judge Halverson?
America’s favorite plus-size jurist, Judge Elizabeth Halverson, is back in the news. The disciplinary hearing to remove her from the bench — figuratively, not literally — got underway today.
Earlier this afternoon, from a Halverson-following reader:
CNN.com has live video stream of the Judge Halverson trial/hearing. I just started listening to it, so there hasn’t been anything real juicy yet. The first issue was Judge Halverson’s ability to use the restroom and the adequacy of the facilities at the hearing location.
And an update:
[So far] nothing that is new news. Her bailiff has been testifying about all the things he had to do for her. They are on a lunch breach until 4 PM Eastern time.
Ah, Judge Halverson’s lunch break. Expect the proceedings to resume around…. 8 PM?
In defense of Judge Halverson, is she getting a fair shake from the State Commission on Judicial Discipline? From the AP:
Nevada’s state judicial disciplinary panel is being asked to ban a suspended judge from calling witnesses or introducing evidence during hearings next week that could strip her of her elected position.
Insert Guantanamo joke here.
Panel Asked to Limit Judge Halverson’s Defense in Hearings [Las Vegas Now]
Panel asked to limit judge’s defense in hearings [AP]
(292) Comments
Comments
First.
Lemme get uh,10,000 chicken fuh-gitas.
You guys want anything?
enough already! please
How can she defend herself without calling witnesses or introducing evidence?
agree with 3 - definitely enough of this story. it was sort of interesting at first, but this obnoxioius over-coverage is such turn off
dude, the bar needs a health test. thats just sick
A lunch break until 4:00? This is too easy.
"ability to use the restroom . . ."
poop in a hat?
3:54 -
"State Commission on Judicial Discipline hearings begin Monday in Las Vegas. But Holmes says Halverson hasn't specified witnesses she intends to call, provided advance materials, or submitted to a health evaluation by a Reno-based psychiatrist picked by the commission.
The panel on July 2 required the exam if Halverson planned to raise disability or medical issues in her defense."
4:02 - They are in Vegas. 4:00 ET = 1 Pacific
(AP) Las Vegas - District court chief judge Elizabeth Halverson died earlier today during a court room proceeding to remove her from the bench, literally. Judge Halversons Rascal wheelchair (4 volt model) became lodged in the courtroom bench cutting off her air cable and leading to her eventual asphyxiation. The coroners office will need to confirm specific details, but courtroom observers say they saw her "binging on Barbecue Fritos, Vienna sausages, and Juji Fruits," and "filling her face with Hot Pockets, Twizzlers, and Twinkies" before driving up to the bench. Upon parking her Rascal, she continued to binge. At some point it appears she choked off her oxygen cable and began to struggle.
Unable to unwedge her trunk-like thighs from the bench, courtroom staff were unable to remove the oxygen line blockage. Judge Halverson was declared dead upon arrival of the paramedics.
...this is fake....
"Frat Stud" (For William N.)
Morbidly obese judges were denied due process in my high school all the time, it was no big deal.
Guys in boarding school used to eat their way into motorized wheelchairs all the time, it was no big deal.
Link for the CNN live audio feed plz?
We can not provide a link at this time because Judge Halverson has eaten the audio feed.
http://www.cnn.com/video/live/live.html?stream=stream2
This guys is no good at cross.
http://www.cnn.com/video/live/live.html?stream=stream2
This guy is no good at cross.
http://www.cnn.com/video/live/live.html?stream=stream2
This guy is no good at cross.
I like to think that she is steering the fat person scooter with one hand because using two takes too much effort.
In searching for the live CNN video feed of the Halverson hearing I came across this CNN video, entitled: Woman Mistaken for Bear, Shot”.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/08/03/moreno.wa.woman.shot.komo
Certainly this is not the referenced CNN video?
Holy shit.
I was very disappointed in the comments to this post, until I read number 11.
Now, I can't stop laughing.
Jonnie Jordan is dumb as a post.
Here's a Gitmo joke:
If they sent Judge Halverson to Guantanamo, Cuba would sink.
Does anyone know the lame ass in the 3-piece suit who is trying to cross Jordan?
He is in a close contest with the witness for dumb.
Wow, nice impeachment. PSYCH!
24 - for real, who is this guy?
Halverson has gained another 100 pounds since the Nev. Sup. Ct. hg.
Her arms are bigger than my torso.
Halverson appears comatose, and apparently has a chair that is reclining better than a Brittish Airways flat bed.
I can't tell if the witness is intentionally being difficult or if he is just plain dumb.
3-piece is asking if picking up papers on floor was not your job, whose job was it?
Jordan says he cannot answer, because it wast not just a piece of paper. It was papers + sunflower seeds.
3-piece is asking if picking up papers on floor was not your job, whose job was it?
Jordan says he cannot answer, because it wast not just a piece of paper. It was papers + sunflower seeds.
That was awesome--Halverson's attorney asked the guy (Jordan, I think) how many times he drove Halverson to a banquet. He responded, "Six or seven, I think." Halverson's attorney asked, "There must have been a lot of eating in that courtroom," and the guy shoots back, "Apparently." Classic!
Bring me Solo and the Wookie! They will all suffer for this outrage!
Honestly, this woman has serious mental problems. She was likely abused as a child. I feel bad for her, but the fact is, a lot of people were abused as a child and they don't turn out to be raving obese psychos.
Halverson is sporting a new hena shorter do, almost looks hot-----except for the 700 pound body.
That witness has got sum 'TUDE!!!!
Found it demeaning to put covers on Halverson at nap time because she was a plus size woman, and there were women there to do that.....in addition, as a plus size woman, her shirt would raise up (YIKES) and she could have asked the women staff to attend to her.
10 minute recess.
Another awesome moment--when the guy conducting the hearing calls for a 10-minute break, you can hear Halverson's Rascal start beeping as it's backing up, like a moving truck...
28: No, Jordan is D-U-M-B. REALLLLY DUMB.
Apparently, 3-peice was willing to represent Halversobn for free?
apparently she failed to submit a witness list, so that's why they don't want her to be able to put on any witnesses.
Comissioners filtering back...
37 -
laughing out loud, and the funniest part is, that wasn't a joke!
Yea, but the proffered reason to exclude--that Halverson is turning the hearing into a 'laughing stock" is unclear on the Halverson concept.
OF COURSE we are tuning in for laffs....
"10 minute" toilet break for Halverson into OT.
Halverson may be in some (bathroom) distress).
If she does not emmerge soon, i am calling (Reno) 911.....
Her Fatness is taking an awful LONG time in that BR...
Back to order (finally) dumbshit Jorday back on stand...
Big objection to 3-piece asking Jordan if when he took job he was aware that Halverson was suffering from disabilities…. No exam or discovery…Halverson wants to argue this…
She pled the ADA as a defense? Can you even "plead an affirmative defense" in a review like this (as opposed to in litigation)?
Your Honor,
Take judicial notice of might huge ass
Did I just see bronzed Han Solo on the wall behind her?
Halverson tries to distinguish between auto accident personal injury defendant and a person with a disability…(statutory definition read)…sleeping, eating, major life issues….this commission can distinguish between major life issues…or if treated as such…can produce evidence if you wish that I was treated as such…3d you can take judicial notice that because I am a wheel chair and on OX that I am disabled. [Halverson fumbles through papers for citation]….12012d all have to do as see that… you don’t have to see a doctor’s note or nothing…you cannot come back now and see a doctor’s note.
Huh?....
Blaming court.. hands going every which way…. I am entitled to reasonable accommodations.. ADA does not re quire a doctors note… you have to take into account that I did ask for help…I cannot breathe right, I cannot work right, but it is nobody’s business…I have a right as an American to be involved in the political process… you are subject to the ADA….that’s all there is too it…I asked for this..I asked for that…I don’t have to submit evidence to justify that….
Prosecutor....I have not received any discovery from her as to reliance on a disability....violation of court order...no predicate hear for her to even talk about ADA here...no complaince with court's orders...
Judge Halverson hasn't kept up with her favorite Sesame Street character. Cookie Monster now says cookies are only a "sometimes" food.
http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/videos.jhtml?videoId=174545
Halverson’s come back…no “probable cause” for medical examination…no court appointed attorney…don’t forget that it was an affirmative defense from the beginning…(court) counsel do not speak over me…order made it clear that this should be a problem at some point…July 2 order provided that if she would introduce evidence or argue that she was subject to disability she would submit to medical exam…motion to in liminae grated.. not allowed to go into that issue…cannot be used and that’s my ruling.
3-piece now wants to make a record…
Halverson is recumbent, and her head is sunken into her body….
How do you know whether Halverson was sleeping or “unconscious” answer---because she was SNORING!!!!!
Ha!!!!
I wonder if I can send this Jordan guy a thank-you card when Halverson gets kicked off the bench. Is he a genius? No. He's just an everyman who's making the judge look like the absolute freak she is.
Q: Do you have any medical training?
A: Do you?
>
Halverson's Atty: Do you have medical training?
Witness: Do you? You're not a doctor!
Haha! Nevada = TTT
I'm glad the grandfather from The Princess Bride is still getting work.
Required to remove lint…every day..Yes…did you ever say this is demaning…No..did you find it demeaning to clean the Judge’s robe…yes
Shooting Judge Halverson’s husband…yes..did you shoot him…did you think she was serious..Yes..becuse..she elevated her voice…
Why not go to police…didn’t you think it was important to go to police…in training all I was told to do s please your judge….
this stuff is facsinating
You lied to Judge Halverson about writing a letter to your mother…No..were you writing a letter to your mother…no…can I explain…no
Redirect on Jordan. one question.. on all of your testimony today..did you tell us anything untrue..No.recross with regard th that Q..No..W excused
3-piece requests a brief break…(Halverson) the problem is that my Husband is also my process severer…. and I have a right to serve at any place…
[Commission…witness will not be intimidated…]
I'm going to call the "jury people".
Halverson has proved during these proceedings that she is unfit. She's a joke.
Halverson… am just getting discovery…so I cannot be in more than one place at once…[Commission] you have served every judge in this District..NO…by 9:00 tomorrow morning Halverson must serve witness list and as to Jordan, before Halverson can recall Commission needs an offer of proof…10 minute recess…next Witness Lisa le Sage DDA
Hearing in 10 minute recess… Halverson has been ordered to produce a list of every w she intends to call by 9:00 am tomorrow…
Next W up is Deputy District Attorney Lisa le Sage …
Dinner with jurors…..
Evil Ed is in the house...
I don't see what the problem is. She seems to be very well ROUNDED!! Hahahahaha!
This just in...Clark County court house..Halverson has just eaten the entire hot dog inventory off then courthouse food stand...has started on the fruit pies...children are crying and a woman has fainted at the spectacle….
Hearing about to resume…objection from hot dog cart guy…he has not been paid….must now file chapter 7….this just in….Nevada Governor declares hearing site national disaster…fast food inventory, small dogs, pets disappearing at unprecedented rate….
Hearing back to order….call Lisa Le Sage…
Direct…I am attorney wit Clark county DA—14 years…identifies Halverson..known 10 years… she was a law clerk in crim dept…she was with judge sheriz for some time…could not say how long..but she worked on crim law issues
Appeared for special victims unit before judge Halverson’s court calendar…one experience that concerned me…post conviction issue..motion to reconsider sentence for concurrent…objected to jurisdiction…Halverson said “watch me” then granted motion….
Watch her in criminal law contest….[objection, overruled] did she appear to be knowledgeable in criminal proceedings….[Objections on notice, overruled]….I observed Halverson do things that she was not entitle to do and chose to do them anyway.
Conclusions…not familiar with proper crim pro…what is Blackstone system….computer record of charges and case status….
Every court room equipped with voice activated audio-video system…supposed to be on all the time when court is in session….Jaz system...except for bench conf judge has ability to cause white noise so not recorded....
Like, William Blackstone? Some people know these things...
Dick.
Exhibit 2…..3-piece wants to voir dire on foundation….DDA has HUGE Angela Davis fro, BTW….Halverson fondling controller to her Rascal….clumsy cross about record keeping system…..
Do you know what that person, he or she that she may be, was looking at, when he or she is looking at, when these document were created?
Bafoonery.....
Prosecutor sucks as well, just not as bad....get to the point plz....
Look--who cares wether she know who did the imputting, she WAS THERE...objection on "rule of completeness"????
Trial in Halverson’s courtroom...4 day trial…march 5, 2007 to Thursday the 8th—judge Halverson fell asleep during defense cross, then judge fell asleep, then her body flinched and she woke up.
Anything unusual re Halverson’s contact with Jury…conversation with jury outside presence of counsel…I was in another court Monday morning…frantic phone call…we knew there would be video of the problem so I brought the asst Da with me…I was not present when Halverson met with jury…March 12, afternoon…Halverson showed video….showed she had conversation with jury instead of just releasing them….
Video is accurate….Ex 4….video played…(this is good..)….Halverson laying back in her do me position…video starts with jury filing into the court Fri night, shows jury leaving after discussion with judge…3-piece says he never saw tape…allowed into evidence…(TAPE PLAYED)….(HAR, HAR)…..
Criminal law 101 as taught by judge halverson...When someone gets arrested they go before a judge...that doesn't mean they're guilty...told to a jury that is in the middle of deliberations without either party present during the discussion. How dumb can she be?
I am a former prosecutor who has been on the bench for 11 years, first as a trial judge and then as an appellate court member. This is unreal. Just amazing, shocking and remarkable conduct on the part of the judge.
alverson tense…has no neck….bird’s eye court room view…jury filing in…judge reads admonition…now does the jury have any questions it wants to bring up…(inaudible)…any other questions (inaudible)…I think it says in the instructions that there will be information (inaudible)…so…I think I can give you general examples….if the defendant is charged, the defendant goes to a probable cause hearing to see if there is a scintilla of evidence they are guilty…(inaudible) [Halverson explains procedure prior to trial….can’t hear the tape very well…]… Halverson explains that motions to exclude evidence have been made and you can only hear portions of evidence that are admissible…[even more questions]…how witnesses are treated….I can only answer general questions…if you have specifics…I cannot answer….you can ask the question… but [inaudible]…some of the things are for you to use your discretion….
Clearly, this Q and A is substantive and long….
I can't wait to hear where 3 piece goes in trying to defend this conduct. Is her husband/process server going to be outside the chamber to serve this witness? All these jurors from the video are her john and jane doe jurors that she's calling. Too funny.
Ten minutes later... Qand A still going on…Halverson is explaining how jury instructions are drafted, process of how instructions are proposed, objected to arrived at …..[inaudible] laughter….basically…[inaudible]….more laughter…its fascinating service….on and on and on….what if we cannot reach a verdict…if you can you can, if you can’t you can’t..that is entirely up to you to you…its entirely in your hands…..
Yikes....
More questions…DA not present for this exchange…Halverson lied when she told jury that DA was not there of her own accord…
Was there any evidence in case about Family Court proceedings…yes…there was a concurrent hearing in Family Court…transcripts of family court hearings were read for impeachment…..Q by juror about minor witness being treated same as adult…jury was instructed prior to deliberations on credibility…judge should not have said adult witness should be treated same a adult….
Calling an attorney not an expert because 3 piece claims she doesn't know about a legal topic...
Isn't that the point of minimum competency?
Halverson is sleeping !!!!!!!!!!!
Verdicts…10 counts NG…10 counts no verdict…
Wide shot of Halverson...(OMG)
Safety issue....light fixture ready to fall..don't walk under it...
Clerks note indicating everything in video removed from record…..
Cross-examination by 3-piece…10 minute recess so rest of Halverson jurors video can be shown…
Nice running commentary.
69: "Halverson… am just getting discovery…so I cannot be in more than one place at once…"
Well, actually, she's probably better able to be in several places at once than most of us.
Waiting for 3-peice to set up rest of video--3-piece has had several objections sustained---including that DA was not designated as expert.
By in large, though, defense has not been effective...
Baliff Jonnie Jordan dumb as a post though.....not sure how credible he came across....
BTW, Clark County judicial elections coming up next week [Aug 12] but early voting already underway--Vegas daily Review Journal has endorsed Halverson opponent Jason Landess (who once lost $1 Million at one sitting at the black jack tables, then filed for bk) over Halverson opponent first-term Family Court Judge Stefany Miley, a graduate of the California Western School of Law.
At least Landess graduated “with law review honors from Loyola Law School [and] tried dozens of criminal trials while an assistant district attorney in Orange County”, the RJ argues. (the RJ editorial fails to mention Landess’s efforts to intercede with a Vegas judge 4 years ago on behalf of his crank addicted, car-thief son.)
http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/26171929.html
This just in…Halverson has just raided the burrito wagon, consuming the entire inventory of food items…..hearing resumes….
Further delay….
Chairman picks nose…
Prosecutor drinks H20, throws head back like horse….air read siren(???)…shuffling noises….WTF???...APPLAUSE...
Guy on lift thing fixed dangling light….hearing back to order…3-piece lacks “password” to “get this thing up and running….”this is 3-days later…I object on discover and relevance….on Monday….this shows what happened before and after video was shown…goes to impact on case….
8 ET - Halverston consumed all cameras, CNN feed dies
CNN feed is down…trying to refresh….
Dear God no!!!!
I don't see what all the fuss is about. They'll have her out of drydock as soon as they clean the barnacles off her.
Video is not some kind of Spanish thing….
Does anyone have new CNN link….I cannot reacquire feed…
Voto 2008….WTF
Alert…feed is down…I repeat…feed is down…some Spanish thing about Obama….
This is a very hard story to read. I am still deeply saddened by the fact that Judge Halverson ate my dog one sunny afternoon. It was awful. She even slurped down the leash like it was god damn spaghetti.
Someone call Greenpeace. We need to keep it moist until we can push it back into the ocean.
Feed has switched to pre-recorded Spanish language election coverage....
Just in...unconfirmed rumors that Judge Halverson has exploded in hearing room, killing all present and taking down CNN link...will try to get more info....
Unconfirmed…pieces of…burrito up and down street…not pretty…can anyone in Vegas confirm what is happening….oh the humanity…..
Radio silence from Vegas....
Come in Vegas this is ATL, can you read us? Come in Vegas. OMG. I have a bad feeling about this……
Judge H should just give up on all this and get herself a TV show like Judge Judy.
CNN live Halverson coverage will resume 12:00 p.m. ET - Tue August 05.
The hearing is scheduled to run through Friday.
AP recap of today's events:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/08/04/state/n113816D58.DTL
The article references a new petition that Halverson filed yesterday in the NV Supreme Court to halt the proceedings; no refernece to it on the Court website yet...
http://www.nvsupremecourt.us/highProfile/
She complains about the restroom? Giver her a nearby Kidney shape swimming pool, after draining the water
She complains about the restroom? Giver her a nearby Kidney shape swimming pool, after draining the water
Today's RJ article about yesterday's hearing testimony:
Ex-bailiff breaks down weeping after yelling he'd been robbed of his dignity
http://www.lvrj.com/news/26274549.html
We have a winner: 115
Is that back on today? Anyone have a link to the stream?
http://www.cnn.com/video/live/live.html?stream=stream2
Cheif Judge Kathy Hardcastle is (I tink) still on the stand being crossed.
Feed just went down. Will keep trying.
Mmm . . . Hard(white)castle.
New CNN link:
http://www.cnn.com/video/live/live.html?stream=stream3
Halverson is wearing pink today.
Her "co-counsel" 3-peice is asking Hardcastle if Halverson + the Rascal could fit through the courthouse metal detector.
Halverson has grown since her NV Supreme Court Hg--she's huge. Her large head loks like a softball on that round body....
Ever deliberately thrown things on floor and asked staff to pick them up?
Is rubbing judge’s feet, giving massages part of bailiff’s duties?
No.
Back to cross by 3-piece.
3-piece is a shuddering prick….
Halverson looks kind of out of it.
She's just so....I don't know....fat.
Short recess now…..very short witness next…3-piece made a funny about “short witness”… then 1 hour lunch and back to it.
I wanna know what kind of motor and batteries are used on the cart she drives. Their either very powerful or heavily overworked!
Pink has a slimming effect.
139: The scooter is not battery powered. It's solid state jet fuel ala the space shuttle.
Instead of blasing her 26,000 miles per hour, it can only move that much mass about 2-4 miles per our in short bursts.
Your Honor, I OBJECT ... to Halverson's weight
Dear God, look at this excerpt from the above article:
"[The baliff] also said Halverson asked him to heat her lunch using a microwave that was kept inside a bathroom. Jordan said Halverson ordered him to heat her food immediately after she used the bathroom."
Hearing back on…Halverson is arguing that she cannot be disciplined for failure to cooperate with other judges in violation of “Separation of Powers”, i.e. “Your Not the Boss of me” redux.
Hearing recessed until 1:00 (Pacific time, 4:00 ET).
PS TO 143:
The blaiff cried on the stand as he was recounting his "humuliation".
If in fact Jonnie Jordan was forced to microwave Halverson's lunch in a tiny chambers bathroom just after her fatness did her business there, he would be awarded a $100 M.
How can the man look at another microwave oven the rest of his life without retching?
New hearing link:
http://www.cnn.com/video/live/live.html?stream=stream3
NEW HALVERSON HEARING LINK (THE LAST DIGIT VARIES FROM A 1 TO 3 each time the link resumes):
http://www.cnn.com/video/live/live.html?stream=stream2
Halverson still wearing pink—waiting for hearing to resume, camera pans on her fatness then back to bench…then back again…back to order!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I read the writ that she is referring to….
NV Supreme Court has some reservations about kind of agreements…..who is in charge of curt employees the court or the court clerk…
The case had nothing to do with invalidating (Hardcastle’s strong judge authority)….
But commissioner is concerns about usurpation of Commission’s authority…I see that as a “really fundamental” issue, and if that cannot be done, the “I see a real issue as to count 1 as to whether Halverson could be disciplined for that (disobeying Hardcastle’s directives).
Commission may be poised to throw her a bone...
Prosecutor: Hardcastle simply gathering information—not a disciplinary issue. Question is whether Halverson cooperated in investigation.
Ruling: Halverson had no duty to cooperate with the office of diversity….there certainly is an issue that precludes proceeding (on count one)… I am ruling that count one will not go forward.
Prosecutor dismisses that count….
Commission gave one to Halverson….nest W Kathleen Struber…
Court clerk….3 years.
Was halvereson's clerk....
She clerked a year and a half prior to Halverson.
Left Halverson’s employ in March 2007.
Why left…acts verbal words….
There was a variety of things…she called her assistant an idiot…referred to law clerk as a faux Jew and “worthless” in her duties…she was preparing her calendar instead of law clerk doing those things….I just overheard Halverson saying that.
Don’t know for sure if Halverson alone…her voice was raised…to the level that those in the front part of the chambers could hear her…disparaging?
3-piece objection sustained.
Exact words: A general statement that the clerk Lisa was a faux Jew.
She yelled at me. It was directed at court recorder Kangus…not getting playback quick enough, she yelled at me to make him do it…
“Make him do it!”
Met husband (Evil) Ed Halverson. Other occasions saw him in her chambers.
In passing, I heard her call him a “stupid bitch”—she was agitated.
I take minutes of court activities, hand written notes.
It is important that minutes be accurate.
Print out from case record.
States whether minutes, charges, things of that nature.
Met husband (Evil) Ed Halverson. Other occasions saw him in her chambers.
In passing, I heard her call him a “stupid bitch”—she was agitated.
I take minutes of court activities, hand written notes.
It is important that minutes be accurate.
Print out from case record.
States whether minutes, charges, things of that nature.
Present during McDaniel sex case.
Halverson lodging her own objection. Overruled.
She identifies minutes.
“Clerks note, the above minute order has been amended by the removal of questions asked by jurors of judge.”
How did Halverson treat lawyers in her courtroom?
Objection by Halverson? Best evidence—overruled.
On occasion Halverson expressed anger toward the lawyers.
She yelled on occasion. She threw a coulple notes back to me but not to counsel
Saw Halverson fall asleep during trials.
Halverson threw judgments back at her. That is not what I said.
Atmosphere in Halverson courtroom was tense.
Halverson doing her won cross this w.
She is kind of squishing in her chair.
when Ed was sworn in, it was a joke.
Court Administrator was sworn in for what reason: The visit from Judge Cherry.
Halverson is implying that all of this was big joke.
Update please?
'Halverson' and 'big' have me intrigued...
Halverson told Spoor that she should not talk to the attorneys because she did not speak their language and that “they are crazy”.
Witness admits she is now “minimizing” what went on, because she wants to “put things behind her”.
Halverson: During the break, did you discuss your testimony with the prosecutor?
Yes.
Did the prosecutor show you your prior statements?
Yes.
Halverson admonished for “testifying” and told to just ask questions.
Feed down.
Feed still down.
Today, for the most part has gone very slow.
Hardcastle testifed that Halverson was an uncooperative pain in the ass who did not get along with any of the judges.
Halverson got one count thrown out on "seperation of powers" grounds (failing to cooperate with diversity investigation into torturing her bailiff).
Her court room clerk testified that Halverson fell asleep 3 times and blamed it on her meds (not diabetes), that Halverson called her husband a "bitch" and her law clerk a "faux Jew", and was mean to her admistrative assistant Spoor--who is a friend of the witness.
The clerk said that swearing in Halverson's husband was a joke, but swearing in Spoor turned into more of an interrogation.
The prosecutor got the wintess to admit that she has been minimizing Halverson's conduct at the hearing to "put it behind her".
Feed back up.
New witness on stand. (Another Judge).
Witness says Halverson initiated ex parte conversation asking if she was not “concerned” about getting arrears in case paid.
Halverson was inquiring because same party had criminal case in Halverson’s dept and this judge was handling child support matter.
Halverson was asking if defendant’s attorney had misrepresented anything. Halverson was going after the attorney.
She later disclosed this Halverson conversation to the prosecutor and defense counsel.
She then declared it to be a complex case, found that the criminal and family issues were intertwined, so that the whole case would go to a district judge.
No cross from 3-piece
Did you feel during this conversation that you were doing anything wrong.
I was uncomfortable that a district judge called me—that Judge Halverson had called me—it disturbed me.
She is a hearing master.
3-piece is from another state. (MY cousin Vinny).
I did nothing wrong.
The jist is that Halverson was sentencing a defendant and wanted dirt on the defense counsel.
Witness told Halverson that the Defendant was a relative of judge Jones.
My take away impression was that Jeeze, Halverson had just taken the bench and now she is after attorneys.
Halverson also commented that the defendant owed 30 grand in the case the witness was handling.
Witness excused.
Next witness is an investigator.
Bench discussion.
Witness appears to have attorney. Bench discussion continues.
Motion for hearing in federal court. We will confer with that. It may have some impact on our schedule. Commission leaves bench for private conference with unknown attorneys about a federal court hearing of some kind. Not known who filed it or if it relates to Halverson matter, except insofar as it may impact on commission’s availability.
Strange. Prosecutor and Halverson attorney still in hearing room waiting.
Feed now shows picture of a gavel.
I am going to take a leak--back shortly.
Commission still conferring about this “federal court motion hearing” in private.
Curious, did Halverson file some kind of federal court proceeding to halt this hearing? Why else interrupt this proceeding now?
Halverson not going quietly.
Note, news reports yesterday of Halverson NV Supreme Court petition to halt hearing but no reference to any such petition on NV Supreme Ct. web site.
Recess continues…standing by.
Prior witness, a family court commissioner, earlier testified that Halverson approached her to discuss a child support matter pending before the commissioner. Halverson had same dad in her court as criminal defendant. Halverson informed commissioner that dad/defendant owed $35K in back support, suggested that commissioner might want to collect it.
Back on record…..
Commissioners showing counsel papers…no sound yet.
Looks like official document with gold seal.
Presiding officer has brought to our attention motion in federal court for emergency restraining order to stop these proceedings.
Reference to NV supreme court request for stay.
Counsel says he knows of no action on that.
Federal court hearing is at 10:30 tomorrow am—names commission and prosecutor—they are appearing—unless federal court blocks proceeding Halverson commission proceedings will resume tomorrow afternoon.
Commission is acknowledging receipt of federal order to show cause.
Breaking news….
Commission is adjourning proceedings in view or federal court order to show cause for emergency restraining order to halt commission disciplinary proceedings.
Wrangling over who will sign acknowledgment of service.
Repeat—additional attorney for Halverson has served the Commission with copies of notice of motion for emergency temporary restraining order—commission has also been served with a summons and complaint alleging civil rights violations under 42 USCA section 1982
Fed case #2-02-CM1006.
Halverson has sued the commission and the prosecutor with a civil rights complaint + ex parte request for TRO to be heard at 10:00 am.
Comission will proceed for balance of afternoon.
Lucas Leano Halverson’s second attorney in civil rights action.
New witness Greg Klassoff.
On site computer tech. (this is the guy Halverson asked to hack into the court email system, charged as a separate count of misconduct).
Mostly self trained in Windows, Linex and Mac.
Was a contractor with Supertech in Vegas as a service tech.
Summoned to Justice Center. Asked to see Judge Halverson.
Did not know her.
Met her.
She said she wanted to try to retrieve some emails from an empolyee’s machine and halverson was trying to find out who was sending emails to the press (Spoor’s) computer.
I could see that it was ion the Justice Center domain meaning it was just a workstation and I would need to log into the network.
Halverson trying to retrieve deleted emails.
I know that you cannot break into someone’s network.
So I took hard drive out of computer to try to recover deleted files still on hard drive.
System administrator not present.
I told her only way to get into system to go through system administrator.
Halverson said that would not happen.
I ran my scan and told her nothing on computer.
I told her to talk to the system administrator and that if it was an employee’s email, she would be allowed to read that.
Halverson told him not to believe anything she read in the press, lifted up her blouse, and asked if I saw any urine stains on her blouse!!!!!!!
That is why I went to commission.
Repeat: Halverson lifted up her blouse and asked tech guy if he saw any urine stains on her blouse.
Halverson said that I should not believe what wads in the papers and she was trying to find out who in her office was telling stories about her in the press.
Repeat: Halverson lifted up her blouse and asked tech guy if he saw any urine stains on her blouse.
Halverson said that I should not believe what wads in the papers and she was trying to find out who in her office was telling stories about her in the press.
Halverson paid with a “Halverson law Firm” check.
Memo: “computer review”.
Told another attorney John Hunt, talked to the police, electronic crimes division.
He was not charged.
Cross by 3-piece, Halverson’s out-of-state attorney.
Wrangling over what check memo says.
Could be ‘review” could be “repair”.
Met with police department.
When he went into the Justice Center he contacted someone who worked for Halverson.
Saw Halverson. She was alone and with clerk at times.
Halverson was called to the stad by the prosecutor about the time ALT went down (it just came back up).
Halverson took the 5th. (Overruled.)
She has spent 45 minues on direct sparing with the prosecutor.
She denies recalling a radio interview.
She objected to reviewing a transcript to refresh her recollection.
Halverson wil review the TR tonight.
Prosecutor is getting to the point--listing the heart of the case against her.
Halverson denies everything:
“Noooo. Nooo. Nooo. Noooo. “
No touching, no spying, no "bitch", no "faux Jew" comments, did not yell at staff.
She is VERY combative.
Commission is adjourning until 1:00 pm tomorrow "unless and until" the federal court orders otherwise.
Things are really heating up.
Should be some good stuff tomorrow at 1:00 pm.
Hearing adjourned.
Thanks for running commentary. This is choice stuff.
BREAKING: Fed Judge Denies Halverson TRO-Removal Hg to Continue@ 1:30 PM today
Hearing is now underway.
It is a real freak show.
A routine witness from the agency that regulates was called to establish that Halverson's two "body guards" were not licensed.
Halverson (on cross) demanded to know "the precise statute" (thumb and middle finger joined and held up, Halverson's head moving from side to side) that says you can prosecute the CON-SUM-ER for hiring a private security guard who unlicensed.
Both of Halverson’s private body guards were cited.
Next witness: Judge Stuart Mill.
I could not believe how Halverson was acting on that stand!!! It is VERY easy to see that she treats people the way she is charged with treating them, as if they are stupid and worthless. That baliff's testimony may have been too emotional for that panel, but he was believable. I felt badly for him and I hope they fire her stinky fat ass!! What a sorry, pathetic excuse for someone who the public is supposed to put their trust into. She is nasty on the outside and nasty on the inside!!! Guh!
Hearing in recess for 15 minutes.
Link to Halverson Fed Ct. Civil Rights Suit + Motion for TRO--denied this morning:
http://sites.google.com/site/wildwildlawblogspotcom/halverson-complaint?pageReverted=3
Halverson’s motion and incorporated affidavit implies that the pending disciplinary proceeding was initiated in retaliation for her reporting corruption at the 8th District Courthouse:
“After Plaintiff discovered and requested that the Court Administrator investigate corruption in the Eighth Judicial District Court, she was removed from the bench pending the hearings at issue…”
(Motion pp. 4 and 5.)
[NOTE: halverson is refering to her allegation that her former courtroom clerk was fxing tickets for friends and family.]
For this to be true:
1. The Court Administrator (and/or judges) must have had sufficient control over the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline AND the Special prosecutor to cause formal, retaliatory charges to have Halverson temporally suspended; AND
2. The conspiracy must have been joined by the witnesses who testified against her at the hearing on the temporary suspension; AND
3. The Nevada Supreme Court must have joined the conspiracy when it upheld the temporary suspension after a full and fair hearing based on the entire administrative record.
What are the odds that the Court Administrator, the Court, the Commission on Judicial Discipline, the Special Prosecutor, and the entire Nevada Supreme Court are all part of a conspiracy to throw Halverson off the bench because she blew the whistle on Court Room Clerk Ilene Spoor’s alleged ticket fixing for friends and family?
As if—even if corrupt and inclined to act in concert—all of these major players could give a s*** whether a minor court functionary gets away with fixing traffic tickets?
What is wrong with this picture?
I could not believe how Halverson was acting on that stand!!! It is VERY easy to see that she treats people the way she is charged with treating them, as if they are stupid and worthless. That baliff's testimony may have been too emotional for that panel, but he was believable. I felt badly for him and I hope they fire her stinky fat ass!! What a sorry, pathetic excuse for someone who the public is supposed to put their trust into. She is nasty on the outside and nasty on the inside!!! Guh!
I could not believe how Halverson was acting on that stand!!! It is VERY easy to see that she treats people the way she is charged with treating them, as if they are stupid and worthless. That baliff's testimony may have been too emotional for that panel, but he was believable. I felt badly for him and I hope they fire her stinky fat ass!! What a sorry, pathetic excuse for someone who the public is supposed to put their trust into. She is nasty on the outside and nasty on the inside!!! Guh!
And also, I do not know why my post duplicated so much. Sorry :)
Halverson is clearly losing it today. She should let her attorney 3-piece handle the cross.
Her fatness is has lost all pretense of composure and is demonstrating that the assertion that she is lacking in judicial temperament is true.
The next witness up, Judge Stuart Mill, tried to give Halverson guidance after she communicated exparte with sitting jurors, and is expected to testify as to Halverson's uncooperative attitude and hostility.
The fact that Halverson thinks that constitutional protections afforded a criminal defendant under the US constitution apply to this proceeding or that the federal court would intervene in a state judicial disciplinary matter is a little scary.
Hearing resumes.
Met Halverson when she was a clerk for a criminal judge. Witness was chief of sexual assault unit, now in pvt practice in NV.
Did a civil jury trial Mentes v. Silverstien in front of Halverson.
Trial lasted 3 or 4 days.
Halverson fell asleep.
He was examining the witness and he needed to approach the witness—saw judge Halverson sleeping. He was 10 feet away. Her eyes were closed and she appeared to be asleep.
Halverson slept for a few moments which he was aware of.
Clerk and court reporter making noises to wake her up.
Ilene Spoor approached the bench.
He had his side to bailiff.
Witness did not try to wake her up because you don’t want to embarrass the judge and it was not critical—the trial was "proceeding along nicely."h
Cross by 3-piece.
W: Her eyes were closed, her manner of breathing, and her body posture let me to believe that she was asleep.
This was Halverson’s first jury trial.
Has seen Halverson on the bench after that trial.
3-piece is really laborious.
After 10 minutes he has established that witness (probably) did not see the bailiff slam the door to wake Halverson up.
What meant by trial proceeding nicely?
“The less intervention by Judge Halverson in these proceedings the better”.
Ha! He likes her better asleep!
Redirect:
Halverson’s head was down with her chin on her chest when he thought she was asleep.
Breathing seemed to be deeper than she is normally.
Less intervention from Judge Halverson the better? Why?
She was inexperienced as a judge.
What was occurring?
We had a good jury—worried about causing a retrial.
What was she doing?
Objection sustained. Move on.
Re-cross by 3-piece.
How much experience have you had seeing Halverson breathe?
Take notes on her breathing? (Come on counsel).
I had seen her as a law clerk, on bench as a judge, met her in chambers on a number of occasions. Watched her during these activities.
Fat woman—50ish—starts laughing out loud.
Commission ejects her.
She curses the whole way out. Says “this commission should be ashamed of yourselves” calls the proceedings bullshit.
Security instructed never to let witness back in.
Fat woman—50ish—starts laughing out loud.
Commission ejects her.
She curses the whole way out. Says “this commission should be ashamed of yourselves” calls the proceedings bullshit.
Security instructed never to let witness back in.
Fat woman who was ejected not Halverson fat—maybe 240 pounds—wearing slacks and tent top. Very trashy blonde hair with bangs. Cheaply dressed. Real trailer trash.
Telephonic witness Jeff Brock.
Direct by Halverson counsel.
3-piece is named Michael Schwartz
He was also there for trial last W testified about. He was opposing counsel.
Observe Halverson?
Yes.
Halverson was 40 feet away.
Did you see Halverson fall asleep? Never developed that impression.
Did you observe Ilene Spoor approach bench?
Yes.
Did you see Halverson fall asleep? Never developed that impression.
Did you observe Ilene Spoor approach bench?
Yes.
Don’t recall anyone trying to awaken judge.
How conducted herself during trial?
Nothing out of the ordinary. Not taken aback one way or the other.
Had subsequent hearings on post trial motions.
She was not out of the ordinary then either.
Cross:
4-5 day trial.
Possible Halverson was sleeping but did notice?
Yes.
Judge Bell called to stand. (Jeff Brock was out of order.)
Bell is chubby with ruddy cheeks—looks like a drinker.
Has a together manner. Crisp quick answers.
Articulate, succinct.
Met with Halverson about a court procedure.
Halverson asked Bell to look at video tape of Halverson talking to jury exparte and what did he think.
It seemed clear to Bell that they (the attorneys) were asking Halverson to call in the jury and ask if further deliberations would be fruitful.
Bell explained to her that exparte communications wit jury in the manner she did was improper.
The only other time Bell he had a conversation with her was at the direction of the Chief Judge on April 26, 2007.
Judges talked to Halverson about some of the things that Halverson’s staff tevealed to us that we thought were of concern with to us.
5 of us, 3 judges + court administrators.
Notes were taken and are accurate.
We told her the employees concerns. For example we said the bailiff was required to work 10 hours a day and only paid for 8. Personal contact with bailiff requiring him to rub feet. Orders disappearing because Halverson did not like particular firms.
She heard us but did not seem to accept responsibility.
She admitted bailiff rubbed her feet and worked long hours but said it is because he wanted to.
We took a number of actions.
We removed the bailiff from what we thought was a hostile work environment and suggested she think long and hard about our suggestions.
Just trying to help a colleague who appeared to have trouble doing her job.
Heard about other subsequent incident, husband had come through security gate and shaken hands with bailiff and left $20 bill in his hand and suggested Jordan take it to Halverson—which was disturbing because we told Halverson to avoid further contact with former bailiff.
Halverson failed to meet further with them—told chief judge nothing more that they could do.
Suggested that the Chief Judge reassign Halverson’s criminal cases to another judge. She di that.
3-piece is blatantly displaying newspaper headline to camera “Halverson Vows ’08 Reelection Bid”
I have to step away--but here is the live hearing link.
http://www.cnn.com/video/live/live.html?stream=stream3
Bell: Halverson blamed falling asleep “on one occasion” on a “change in medication.”
3-piece is biting his fingernails while asking questions. Classy.
3-piece is even more annoying that Halverson herself. Not sure if he was chosen for this attribute or if 3-piece was simply willing to take the case on for publicity.
Now showing court room video of Halverson’s colloquy with trial counsel that preceded Halverson’s exparte Q and A with criminal jury.
Cross of Judge Bell.
What I tried to express to Halverson was you cannot have exparte conversations with juries for the primary reason that there is no record of it.
3-piece tried to get Bell to say that his testimony inaccurate.
I don’t lie.
I don’t believe I made a mistake either.
If it turns out that you were mistaken, it does not mean that you were intentionally lying?
I don’t lie.
Stupid examination.
Bell never had a bailiff accompany a judge to an out-of-court function.
Halverson is nodding her head repeatedly like a bobble head.
Recess so Halverson can confer with aW.
Halverson’s Rascal beeps when it backs up. Which makes sense. I would not like to be run over. Might have to amputate.
Why isn't someone contacting some of her former co-workers at the IRS? I used to work with Elizabeth Lamacchia(Halverson) at the IRS in San Mateo, Ca., and she was an abnoxious person with everyone
( taxpayers, representatives and co-workers.). Elizabeth resented anyone that was slender, pretty and married. Elisabeth forced a number of female co-workers to constantly escort her to the restroom on a so called afternoon break . She constantly intimidated CPAs and enrolled agents with her California Bar Association Membership Card; constantly insulted management and anyone with authority; made male co-workers prepare her lunch and "fetch" water for her on a daily basis, and "openly" harassed new trainees assigned to her by the manager. Elisabeth made everyone at work suffer for what she perceived as "weight discrimination "by the by the IRS, when they refused to hire her as an attorney. After observing Elisabeth for years as a co-worker, I can believe she used her position as an judge to get even with anyone that crossed her path.
This is one "jackpot" Las Vegas can keep!
Dear 251:
I would urge you to contact Las Vegas reporter JANE ANN MORRISON (who is largely responsible for bringing Judge Halverson's misdeeds to light publicly: E-mail her at Jane@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0275.
Alternatively, please contact Legal Eagle, who edits the Las Vegas law blog http://wildwildlaw.blogspot.com/ . That email is nevadalegal@gmail.com.
Your story explains everything and simply must be told—anonymously or otherwise.
this morings Halverson hearing video link:
http://www.cnn.com/video/live/live.html?stream=stream2
uh lat could you puhleeeze stop with halverson already
Ilene Spoor is on the stand.
Halverson is wearing green, and if its possible, looks even bigger.
Is Judge Halverson the Hutt in charge of the pod-racing or the Hutt who oversees smugglers on Tatooine? I can't ever tell them apart.
is there a site to watch the hearing live that doesn't have the sound problem?
Witness is testifying about 499 preemptory challenges that her Fatness received.
God, Halverson’s attorney is annoying.
rrection, Halverson’s share of the preemptory challenges were 199.
Next largest department was 48, same time frame.
Halverson is back on the stand, being asked about her 911 call that she feared for her safety.hhhhhhhhh
Halverson is back on the stand, being asked about her 911 call that she feared for her safety.
She views a violation of her 4th amendment rights as an “assault”.
Halverson has no neck—just a head perched on a perfectly round torso.
Camera is on Evil Ed—he looks surely. Not smiling.
Halverson claims that her Bailiff Jonnie Jordan told her he did not want to leave her court and later that he wanted to come back.
Denies that Judge Bell told her to stay away from Jordan.
This hearing must be winding down, it is really dragging.
Halverson recalls nothing about what she told the press.
More press statements that Halverson does not recall.
Also, she did not talk to jurors on first occasion, they talked to her and she could not tell them to shut up.
Judge Bell did shout at her and tell her in the meeting with the other judges that we are going to get rid of you.
Sally more was screaming.
Is judge Bell lying?
No, its his perspective.
Did not require Jordan to heat and serve meals.
He did serve her 3 times, but he offered to do so.
Often had lunch with Jordan and the other employees.
Jordan’s testimony that he did not get to have lunch is false.
Did you see her mouth water when she was talking about ordering french fried?
Did you see her mouth water when she was talking about ordering french fries?
Jordan wanted to do things he did not have to do.
Never yelled at him.
Never yelled at Jordan that water not cold enough.
It's called insulation Jabba
Did not require Jordan to delint robe.
I did not require him to do anything.
Has cats and dogs. 3 cats. 2 German Sheppards.
Never had dog or cat hair on robe.
Jordan never took tape like he testified to remove things from her robe.
Is Jordan dishonest?
Is he a liar?
Yes. He lied about everything, yes.
Didn't want to answer if she thought Jonnie was liar
SAid her personal opinion is yes, he is
Jordan insisted on helping take her shoes on and off. We had fight after fight after fight. It was a nitghtmare. Finally I just let him do what he wanted.
Jordan tried to rub my foot once. I jumped and said “jonnie what are you doing? I said this is inappropriate. I made him stop.
He did not massage me, but there was one incident where I asked him to hit me in a certain area to get a crick out of my neck.
I"m surprise Jonnie didn't jump at the chance to hit her!
Jordan never said he had difficulty even putting a blanket on me—he was always doing it.
Who ever was there would do it because they felt like doing it.
Did you call your husband names?
I assert marital privilege. When I talk to my husband, I don’t have to disclose that.
Ever call you husband names when talking about him to other employees? Like stupid son of a bitch.
Don’t recall that.
Never called Spoor an idiot.
Never called Kathy Struber the devil incarnate.
Denies Judge Cherry talked to me about being civil to my employees.
Denies telling Lisa Carroll she was a faux Jew.
Sort of called Ken Pollack a faux Jew.
Halverson is prosecutor's last witness.
In the morning 3-piece will redirect Halverson.
Halverson has 28 witnesses.
Hearing adjourned to 8:30 AM tomorrow.
I can understand why he said "what's it say about the president". He was speaking about people in authority period. IE., judges, president, all of America's leaders. I knew what he meant. He was emotional and finally had the chance to tell his side of the story to people who mattered.
I have got to say, if this is how Halverson acts in front of TV cameras and in front of people who have final judgement over her, then I hate to see how she acts behind closed doors and on the bench. WOW. She says that the prosecutor saying she wasnt a sitting judge was demeaning to her? Ummmm...... okayyyyy then! I hope she not only gets the boot off the bench, I hope she is never ever able to hold public office in any capacity.
someone please start an I. V. of slim fast.
this woman is disgusting.