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EYEWITNESS LOCAL NEWS
FAMILY JUDGE UPDATEfrom Eyewitness News Online Embattled West Virginia Judge Takes Medical Leave Reported by:  Associated PressWeb Producer: Jeff Morris Reported: Jan. 3, 2013 9:20 AM EST Updated: Jan. 5, 2013 11:23 AM EST
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
A Putnam County Family Court judge accused of judicial misconduct has taken medical leave. Judge William Watkins informed the West Virginia Supreme Court of his departure from the bench Friday. Chief Justice Brent Benjamin appointed former Family Court Judge Deloris Nibert as a temporary replacement for the duration of Watkins' leave. In his letter to Benjamin, Watkins recommended attorney Shawn Bayliss as his replacement. On Thursday, the state Supreme Court denied Watkins' motion to postpone disciplinary proceedings against him. Watkins is accused of delaying rulings, failing to enter domestic violence orders into the state's tracking system and screaming and cursing at litigants. The justices have scheduled a Feb. 5 hearing on the Judicial Hearing Board's recommendation that Watkins be suspended without pay for the final four years of his term. A Putnam County Family Court judge accused of judicial misconduct has lost a bid to delay disciplinary proceedings against him. The Charleston Gazette reported that the state Supreme Court denied Family Court Judge William Watkins' request on Thursday. The justices will hear Watkins' case Feb. 5. Watkins' lawyer, Robert Martin, filed a motion earlier this week asking the court to delay the proceedings. Martin said Watkins has filed for disability and plans to retire. The state Judicial Investigation Commission alleges that Watkins delayed rulings, failed to enter domestic violence orders into the state's tracking system and screamed and cursed at litigants. The Judicial Hearing Board recommended that Watkins be suspended without pay until his term ends on Dec. 31, 2016. A Putnam County Family Court judge accused of judicial misconduct is asking the state Supreme Court to delay disciplinary proceedings against him. Judge William Watkins' attorney, Robert Martin, said in court documents that Watkins has applied for disability and plans to retire. Martin asked the court to give Watkins 30 days while his disability application is processed before it makes any decision. The state Judicial Investigation Commission alleges that Watkins delayed rulings, failed to enter domestic violence orders into the state's tracking system and screamed and cursed at litigants. The Judicial Hearing Board recommended that Watkins be suspended without pay until his term ends on Dec. 31, 2016. Martin asked the court to dismiss the complaints. The Charleston Gazette reported that Martin filed the requests this week. *Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. MORE NEWS FROM EYEWITNESS NEWS
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Send email to news@wchstv.com for information or comments concerning WCHS-TV Eyewitness News.Copyright ©2013, WCHS-TV8. Portions are Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed. |