As expected Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen’s attorneys have asked that judicial ethics charges brought against the judge last week be dismissed.

The Associated Press reports on the latest. The request goes to different members of the commission than the three-member group that recommended charges. Griffen has said efforts to punish him for participating in a demonstration outside the Governor’s Mansion violate his constitutional rights to free speech and religion. A Baptist pastor, he said he was emulating Jesus on the cross by laying bound on a cot on Good Friday amid a demonstration against the death penalty. That day, Griffen also ruled in a property rights case in favor of drug distributors, a ruling that had the effect of blocking executions because the companies had asserted the state had obtained drugs improperly for a use for which they were not intended. Griffen is a foe of the death penalty, but has said it doesn’t affect his application of the law.

Advertisement

Among others, the ethics charge says Griffen’s demonstration damaged the appearance of an impartial judiciary.

Griffen has successfully challenged ethics action over his speech before on 1st Amendment grounds and other court precedents provide him some protection as well. Gri9ffen has sued the state Supreme Court over its hurryup removal of Griffen from capital cases after some ex parte communications and also has filed an ethics complaint against the justices. His lawsuit is pending. The investigating panel has made no finding on the ethics complaint.

Advertisement

Some legislators want Griffen has impeached, though none has been heard to suggest the same for other judges, including one who eventually pleaded guilty to offering favorable treatment in his court to defendants who provided sexual favors.

Here’s Griffen’s motion.

Advertisement

50 years of fearless reporting and still going strong

Be a part of something bigger and join the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been tackling powerful forces through our tough, determined, and feisty journalism. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 email subscribers, it's clear that our readers value our commitment to great journalism. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating – as little as $1 –, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Take a stand with the Arkansas Times and make a difference with your subscription or donation today.

Previous article Blue Hog on Bob Ballinger’s ‘side hustle’ Next article Is Jeremy Hutchinson a criminal? Or simply terminally sleazy?