Arrogant Presiding Judge Ruckriegle appoints himself to Kobe case

http://www.speakoutvail.com/front1.shtml

- BRECKENRIDGE – Fifth Judicial District Presiding Judge Terry
Ruckriegle, stunning possibly all but one public official and this
writer, named himself the presiding judge in the Kobe Bryant trial,
after the trial was forwarded from the county court to the district
court. District Judge Tom Moorhead, who was appointed about a year
ago, drew the number of the case, in a system designed to fairly
assign cases.
It is a known fact that Ruckriegle monitored every move of the Bryant
case in county court, which, by all rights, should require Ruckriegle
not to place himself in a position to be a potential appelate judge,
if the county court decision is appealed, on a case where he already
was involved with and gave advice on.
By judicial canons, judges are required to avoid "even the appearance
of impropriety," and this decision seems to go far beyond just the
appearance.
Ruckriegle is known as the hot-dog of the district, and his decision
has, once again, demoralized Ruckriegle's peers, according to numerous
sources who, advisedly, wish to remain anonymous.
Moorhead is known to be deeply disappointed, according to one source,
and had told Speakout! a month ago that he thought he would do a good
job, if the case advanced to district court.
Ruckriegle has no excuse to name himself, as the case is based in
Eagle, and Ruckriegle is based in Breckenridge. Moorhead must now
drive to Breckenridge to cover for Ruckriegle, in a case that is
likely to take a month to try.
If Ruckriegle felt that Moorhead was too inexperienced to cover the
Bryant case, then it seems unfair to others accused of sexual assault,
not have to have Ruckriegle be their judge as well.
Is Kobe Bryant getting the same treatment as any other defendant?
Obviously not!
Ruckriegle could have named Eagle County-based District Judge Richard
Hart to replace Moorhead. Hart, according to yet another source, has
more trial experience than Ruckriegle.
If not Hart, Ruckriegle could have appointed Breckenridge-based
District Judge David Lass, who, according to yet another source, has
the most sexual assault case experience of all the Fifth Judicial
District judges.
Instead, Ruckriegle appointed himself, setting up the Eagle County
legal system for even more criticism.
Judge Ruckriegle knows better than to appoint himself. His arrogance
shows!
Look for him to punish this writer with refusal to continue to be
allowed to cover the Bryant trial, after exposing his arrogance. If
that happens, so be it! Ruckriegle will have made my past point that
he should not be a district court judge, let alone the "presiding"
judge.
I know others agree with me!