Thursday, August 19, 2010
Judges Involved In Expungement Case Recuse Themselves
Judges for the 22nd Judicial District have submitted a letter to state officials, recusing themselves from a case that involves fellow Circuit Court Judge Jim T. Hamilton.
District Attorney Mike Bottoms brought the case to light last month, indicating that two men convicted on felony charges in Maury County had their criminal records illegally expunged by Hamilton. The state alleges that Hamilton acted beyond his jurisdiction when he approved the expungement orders for Phillip Williams and Rodney Gillespie.
Judge Stella Hargrove submitted the letter on behalf of all Circuit Court Judges in the 22nd Judicial District. Pointing out that, should a hearing be held, Hamilton would be required to serve as a witness, Hargrove stated, “Judges in the 22nd Judicial District feel it would be best to have a special judge designated.”
In the event that a hearing is held for Gillespie and Williams, it would likely be heard by a specially-appointed mediator.
A review of Hamilton’s past cases is continuing through the District Attorney’s Office. To date there has been no word regarding any additional instances of suspected wrong-doing.
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