Panel Rules Justice Moore Failed to Respect & Comply with Law; Judge removed from Supreme Court

[Belial]

No surprise. It's tough to campaign for office while serving on the judiciary.

[Rebelbase]

"Christians should boycott... "

Who exactly are you refferring to? Baptists, Methodists, SDA's, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Catholics, Reformed Presbyterians, Free Will Baptists, Southern Baptists, Lutherians, Pentacostals, Church of Christ, Assembly of God?

And within those groups are you referring to those who go to church at Christmas and Easter only or the ones who use the church for social and economic gain? Or are you meaning those who call themselves "Christian" because they live in America and were not born into Muslim, Hindu or Buddist families?

[cgk]

'Ten Commandments' Justice Expelled

Thursday, November 13, 2003

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — An Alabama judicial panel Thursday expelled Chief Justice Roy Moore (search) and rejected his argument that he was upholding his oath when he ignored a federal court order to move a Ten Commandments monument from the state judicial building.

The Court of the Judiciary (search) listened to several hours of testimony and arguments Wednesday. The decision to remove Moore required a unanimous decision from the nine-member panel.

Moore, who has been suspended with pay since August in the judicial ethics case, testified Wednesday that he was fulfilling his duties and promises to voters when he refused to follow the court order.

The prosecutor, Attorney General Bill Pryor (search), termed Moore's defiance "utterly unrepentant behavior" that warrants removal from office.

Moore insisted to the end that he was merely upholding his oath to "acknowledge God."

The Court of the Judiciary heard less than a day of testimony and arguments.

• Raw Data: Ala. Judicial Inquiry Commission's Complaint Against Moore (pdf)

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson (search) had ruled the monument was an unconstitutional promotion of religion by the government. A federal appeals court upheld the ruling, and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear Moore's appeal. The monument eventually was rolled into a storage room.

Moore testified that he followed his conscience and did nothing to violate judicial ethics.

"To acknowledge God cannot be a violation of the Canons of Ethics. Without God there can be no ethics," Moore testified.

He also said that, given another chance to fulfill the court order, he again would refuse to do so.

When one panelist, Circuit Judge J. Scott Vowell, asked Moore what he would do with the monument if he were returned to office, the chief justice said he had not decided, but added: "I certainly wouldn't leave it in a closet, shrouded from the public."

"What message does that send to the public, to other litigants? The message it sends is: If you don't like a court order, you don't have to follow it," Assistant Attorney General John Gibbs said in closing arguments.

Moore attorney Mike Jones disputed that notion.

"There won't be this mass refusal to follow courts," he said. "In fact, I might suggest there might be more respect for a judiciary led by a man with faith and conscience."

Moore's trial began Wednesday morning with a prayer, requested by his attorneys and led by Chief Judge William Thompson. More than 200 people packed into the Alabama Supreme Court's courtroom, just two floors above the rotunda where the 5,300-pound granite Ten Commandments monument stood for about two years.

About 100 Moore supporters gathered on the sidewalk and plaza outside the building, praying and carrying signs that read "Save the Ten Commandments."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[alancarp]

When does he start his campaign for Governor of Alabama (today?)?

[E Rocc]

we need to organize and boycott these people who want to take God out of everything.

Again with the exaggerations. The only thing that Separationists are trying to do is forbid government entities from showing preference for certain faiths. That is hardly "everything".

-Eric

[Porterville]

At least I don't have to be such a limp wrist I have to solely rely on grammar to take a stand.

[smith288]

I agree with both Moore and I agree with his removal.

He has the right to speak up and not hide his faith but in doing so, he defied law.

As Christians, we are told the ride will not always be a fun one and we wont always be in the majority. Eventually, we will be a small minority and will have to stand up for our faith in ways that could harm us and cause discomfort...

The time will come when we will find out who has the convictions and those who would put God up for sale for their own safety and comfort.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

How bad is the press conference? Bringing bench and bar into direpute, hurling accusations?

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

I thought State SC Justices had to be impeached.

Depends on the state. He admits that he has been found guilty on violating ethics, but is unrepentant.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

I thought State SC Justices had to be impeached (add -- in most states).

[WackyKat]

And after losing the appeal, like the good carnie huckster he is, he'll have the opportunity to launch his new televangelism ministry or political campaign, depending on what appears more profitable.

Exactly right. This whole stunt was intended to whip up his popularity so he can run for higher political office, like governor or senator.

[Catspaw]

I'm wondering since I heard Judge Pryor was a part of that unanimous decision, if there is an ulterior motive here. Moore can still appeal to the remaining justices.

William Pryor is not a judge (he is nominated to be a federal judge, but he hasn't been confirmed). He is the attorney general for the state of Alabama. By law he had to prosecute Moore before the Judicial Review Board. After hearing evidence and testimony from both sides, the Judicial Review Board voted unanimously to remove Moore from office.

[Paleo Conservative]

It's the State Court of The Judiciary. They have jurisdiciton over matters of judicial ethics in the state.

Well in most states it is up to elected representatives to make those judgements. Also where in the Constitution does it the federal courts get to dictate to state courts are on issues that are not explictly given to the federal government in the Constitution. If anything the federal courts are guilty of removing the 10th amendment from the US Constitution.

[Catspaw]

I think he just said he was going to run for office, but he'd announce that later.

[Porterville]

I really don't give a damn, jump off a bridge if you want. If Christians want to organize and boycott this nonsense then we should. Nothing clever or cute about it.

[Ronaldus Magnus]

I think his press conference (ongoing) will get him disbarred. Then he can't run again.

Although there is no chance that he would be disbarred for making statements at a press conference, disbarring him would all but guarantee his landslide election to the governorship.

[cgk]

It sounded like he used Pryor's own words against him, but I missed the complete statement... He says he holds no animosity towards anyone on the court.

[LadyPilgrim]

I'm sorry, but I do not know what side of the aisle these judges are on.
I am familiar with Pryor, and have voted for him,
but do not have any idea who these other guys are.
If they are Republican, I voted for them.
I will not vote for them again.
I will work and vote against them.
But I will not vote Dem.
I am sickened by this decision.
God Bless our America and God Bless Judge Roy Moore!

[Chancellor Palpatine]

And if the voters of Alabama elect him to the Senate, we had better hope and pray that they elect him as an independent, because otherwise, the GOP will get tainted by every hysterical pronouncement that comes from that psychotic hucksters mouth.

You can take the boy out of the trailer park, but you can't take the trailer park out of the boy.

[Servant of the 9]

How bad is the press conference? Bringing bench and bar into direpute, hurling accusations?

All of that and more.

Claims to have a big anouncement next month. Probably running for Senate. I'd rather have Hillary.

So9