[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2010/0...81601939396.txt

Evans-Koethe delusional to try to keep judgeship

Published: Friday, January 15, 2010 4:16 AM CST
Timothy Stabosz

In her decision to not let go of “her” judgeship, Jennifer Evans-Koethe reveals a profound and breathtaking contempt for the people of La Porte County. How can she deem to sit on a respected rostrum, presenting herself as a judge, an agent for forthrightness that is the foundation of our legal system, asking people if they will swear to tell the whole truth, when she has been nothing if not deceptive and dissembling with regard to her personal family tragedy — and unaccountable over how that deception bears on her character and qualifications as a judge?

Ms. Evans-Koethe needs to face the fact that the truth will set her free, emotionally, morally and spiritually. But, in this case, the truth also will set free the citizens of La Porte County, whose trust and faith Ms. Evans-Koethe has profoundly abused. This is something that Ms. Evans-Koethe, if she has any self-respect, should care about!

It seems to me that Jennifer Evans-Koethe’ decision-making process has been ruled by the psychology of desperation, a profound fear that her life will be “ruined” if she simply opens up, reveals and faces the truth of what happened, and what it, on its very face, means about her. Does her incapability of being strong, of being honest, not reflect, fundamentally, on her capability and qualifications of serving as a judge?

Once she is seated on the bench, by what moral right does she deem to demand that we, as citizens, answer to some presumed “authority” she has? Will she, merely by right of the ceremonial robes she wears, demand that we, as citizens, “pay no attention to the man behind the curtain” that is blatantly evident for all to see?

Kicking and screaming, running away from reality, she is going to get that judgeship, regardless of the fact that there is no honor, no decency and no respect for the public trust in what she is selfishly trying to achieve. We need only look at the personal hubris, and the tragic lessons of secrecy, evasion and personal destruction that previous politicians ingloriously visited upon us, whether it is Richard Nixon’s paranoia-induced Watergate cover-up, or Ted Kennedy’s “panic” at Chappaquiddick, with the resulting self-loathing that these men struggled with for the rest of their lives.

This sham, this pattern of deception that is being perpetrated on the citizenry, by one who would deem to call herself “judge,” makes for a bizarre and painful public spectacle. Fortunately, I am convinced the Indiana Supreme Court will look at the evidence, as good judges do, and realize that we cannot countenance the fundamental evil that would result in seating Ms. Evans-Koethe. The members of the court are not stupid; they understand that Evans-Koethe’s being seated would be a travesty of the highest proportions, and make a mockery out of the concept of justice in La Porte County.

In the meantime, may I suggest to Ms. Evans, that if she faces reality, and tells the whole truth, the arms of the community will be waiting to embrace her and support her without hesitation or judgment.

But, if she continues to deem to “pull one over on the people,” there is only shame, disgrace and ignominy awaiting her. She has, no doubt, been through a lot, and is otherwise entitled to our utmost sympathy over that. But how on God’s green earth could any self-respecting person put the public through what she has, and, with a straight face expect that her current reputation justifies maintaining the trust of the public to serve us on the bench? This is sheer unmitigated delusion. And she knows that.

So why is she sitting on her hands? Does she somehow expect to be vindicated in the eyes of the public, or her own eyes, for that matter, if she lets herself be appointed as a “fraudulent” judge?

q

Timothy Stabosz was a La Porte City Councilman from 2004 to 2007.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2010/0...6f040880216.txt

Evans-Koethe hearings set

Published: Friday, February 19, 2010 4:17 AM CST
LA PORTE — Suspended La Porte Superior Court 3 Judge Jennifer Evans-Koethe is set to face three judicial misconduct charges against her at two hearings in April.

The Indiana Supreme Court has appointed three masters (judges) to hear the case April 12 and April 19 in the Indiana Supreme Court courtroom in Indianapolis, said Supreme Court public information officer Kathryn Dolan. The hearings are open to the public.

The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications filed its judicial misconduct charges against Evans-Koethe in December, following an investigation into an incident in which she was wounded by gunfire in her La Porte home Dec. 22, 2008. It happened during a disagreement with her husband, Stephan, a week before she was sworn in as judge.

The commission accused Evans-Koethe of deliberately withholding or misrepresenting pertinent information during taped statements and asking a police officer to destroy a handwritten note, which was potential evidence. In doing so, she violated rules of conduct for judges and attorneys that require them to “avoid impropriety and to act at all times in a manner promoting the public’s confidence in the integrity of the judiciary,” and “to not engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation,” the commission wrote.

Evans-Koethe was suspended with pay from the judgeship last May after she was indicted on a charge of attempted obstruction of justice in connection to the investigation. She was acquitted on that charge last month in Lake County Court.

[lighter]

http://nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/articl...0f6308104c.html


LaPorte Co. judge suspended for 60 days

Judge Jennifer Koethe violated rules for judges by trying to destroy evidence, Supreme Court says

By Dan Carden - dan.carden@nwi.com, (317) 637-9078 | Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010 6:15 pm | No Comments Posted

INDIANAPOLIS | A LaPorte County judge was suspended without pay for 60 days by the Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday for her role in the attempted destruction of evidence relating to a shooting in her home.

Judge Jennifer L. Koethe was found not guilty of obstruction of justice for allegedly asking a detective to discard a note she'd written to her husband before accidentally shooting herself. Koethe was acquitted in a criminal trial held in Lake County in January.

However, the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications accused Koethe of violating rules for the behavior of judges by asking police to destroy potential evidence in a crime.

As a result, the court ordered Koethe suspended from the bench without pay for 60 days beginning Friday. Koethe will also not be allowed to preside over trials involving the police officers that testified in her criminal trial. She must also meet certain treatment requirements...

[edgeywood]

http://nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/articl...0f6308104c.html
LaPorte Co. judge suspended for 60 days

Judge Jennifer Koethe violated rules for judges by trying to destroy evidence, Supreme Court says

However, the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications accused Koethe of violating rules for the behavior of judges by asking police to destroy potential evidence in a crime.

As a result, the court ordered Koethe suspended from the bench without pay for 60 days beginning Friday. Koethe will also not be allowed to preside over trials involving the police officers that testified in her criminal trial. She must also meet certain treatment requirements...

Wow, I'll bet her wrists are still stinging from that slap.

[Ang]

Wow, I'll bet her wrists are still stinging from that slap.

I was thinking the same thing. I wonder how long the red marks will last?

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/20...aa419832628.txt

60-day suspension for Judge Evans-Koethe

Suspension, without pay, begins today
By Matt Field
Staff Writer
Published: Friday, March 12, 2010 4:18 AM CST
LA PORTE — Judge Jennifer Evans-Koethe has finally put a night of drinking that left her with a minor gunshot wound and facing allegations of misconduct behind her.

The Indiana Supreme Court has accepted the proposed terms of punishment that Evans-Koethe reached with the state commission charged with investigating her, according to the Supreme Court decision.

According to court documents, the agreement calls for Evans-Koethe to be suspended without pay for 60 days, seek treatment for personal problems and recuse herself from cases where certain witnesses will appear.

The suspension will begin today. When it ends, Evans-Koethe can take the bench of La Porte County Superior Court 3.

According to the documents, Evans-Koethe’s saga began in December 2008 shortly before she was sworn in. After a night of drinking, she suffered a minor gunshot wound she said was self-inflicted.

She said after arguing with her husband, Stephan Koethe, she brought out a gun to make him think she was contemplating suicide. She thought the gun was unloaded and accidentally shot herself.

She was taken to the hospital, and when a La Porte County Sheriff’s Department sergeant came to take photos of her injury, she told him she wrote a note to her husband and asked the sergeant to get rid of it to avoid embarrassment. According to the Supreme Court decision, she said she did not think it was relevant evidence.

A La Porte County grand jury indicted her in May 2009 for attempted obstruction of justice, a Class D felony. Shortly thereafter in May, she was suspended from the bench with pay and has remained so until today.

A jury acquitted her of the criminal charges in January, but the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications already had filed charges against her, alleging she interfered with a police investigation.

The Supreme Court document said Evans-Koethe and the investigating commission have agreed that by asking the officer to throw out the note, she engaged in improper conduct for a judge.

The two parties in the conflict also noted several mitigating factors: She suffered head trauma that might have affected her judgement; she cooperated with the commission’s investigation; she was remorseful; and she has taken steps to address the personal problems.

When reached for comment, Evans-Koethe said she soon would be releasing a statement in the next few days. She thanked a News-Dispatch reporter for congratulating her on putting the matter to rest.

For one year after Evans-Koethe begins hearing cases again, she will have to recuse herself from cases in which Capt. Clyde Crass and Sgt. Paul Brettin of the La Porte City Police Department and Sgt. Patrick Cicero of the La Porte County Sheriff’s Department appear as a party or a witness.

[lighter]

Huh?


-snip-

When reached for comment, Evans-Koethe said she soon would be releasing a statement in the next few days. She thanked a News-Dispatch reporter for congratulating her on putting the matter to rest.

-snip-


Did i just read the reporter congradulated her? Is that their job?

[Dave]

Did i just read the reporter congradulated her? Is that their job?

Not their job, but there isn't anything about being a reporter that says they can't be civil.

The weird thing is the mention of it in the article.


So, she's got her job back -- after another 60 days of {this time} unpaid suspension.

I'd imagine her chances of reelection are rather slim, but then again, Carol McDaniel got reelected after getting caught in her petty cash debacle, so you never know.

[Tim]

One picture is worth.....

[lovethiscity]

I was thinking the same thing. I wonder how long the red marks will last?

They are gone now

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/20...0e020260269.txt

In a press release, Judge Jennifer Koethe apologizes for what has transpired, saying:

'I am truly sorry for those actions'
By Matt Field
Staff Writer
Published: Saturday, March 13, 2010 4:16 AM CST
Judge Jennifer Koethe apologized to La Porte County residents Friday in a press release and said she looks forward to resuming judge duties after her court-ordered 60-day suspension.

The Indiana Supreme Court accepted an agreement Thursday between Koethe and the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications and suspended the judge for 60 days for misconduct and stipulated other provisions as well.

“I am truly sorry for those actions and apologize to the citizens of La Porte County for any conduct of mine that has not promoted the public’s confidence in the judiciary,” Koethe said in the statement.

Koethe’s troubles began in December 2008, shortly before she was to be sworn in as judge. After a night of drinking, Koethe and her husband, Stephan Koethe, got into an argument. She said she accidently shot herself after retrieving a gun to make her husband think she was contemplating suicide.

Later, at the hospital, she told a La Porte County Sheriff’s Department sergeant she wrote a note to her husband and asked him to dispose of it because is was embarrassing.

Although a grand jury indicted her for attempted obstruction of justice, she was acquitted by a jury in January.

“Although I was found not guilty of a crime by a jury of my peers, I am accepting responsibility for the actions that have not reflected the standard of conduct that a judge is required to uphold,” Koethe said in the statement.

Koethe had been suspended with pay until the Supreme Court decision Thursday.

In addition to the unpaid suspension, the agreement Koethe made with the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications stipulates that for a year after she resumes her judgeship, she will recuse herself when certain witnesses that had been involved in the investigation into her are to appear in court. She also will also seek to address underlying personal issues.

“Upon the completion of my suspension, I look forward to moving on with my life, resuming my duties as judge and restoring the public’s confidence in my position,” Koethe said.

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/20...d4979891800.txt

Judge Koethe

Long saga is over
Published: Sunday, March 14, 2010 4:17 AM CDT
The Issue:

The Indiana Supreme Court decided on a two-month unpaid suspension.

Our Opinion:

The court has spoken. It’s time to move on. Those who disagree can vote against her if she runs again.

Judge Jennifer Koethe has endured more than a year of pain in her personal life — brought on by herself — because of an incident in her home just days before she was sworn in at the end of 2008 as judge of La Porte Superior Court 3.

Now, her legal battles are over, but questions about her suitability to be a judge continue in some people’s’ minds. Her future as a judge will be up to the voters, should she choose to run for re-election when her six-year term is up.

We have said she should have resigned because she has lost credibility as a judge and has damaged the institution of the court. However, the Indiana Supreme Court has spoken and ruled she can return to the bench after two months unpaid suspension. Of course, she will keep her law license.

The state’s highest court made a point of saying she must continue treatment for personal problems that brought about the incident in which she was grazed on the scalp by a bullet Dec. 22, 2008. The gun was fired after a night of drinking by her and her husband, she said she wanted her husband to think she was contemplating suicide, and afterward she asked a police officer to destroy a note she wrote.

Subsequently she was charged with attempting to obstruct justice, but a jury acquitted her. Then she faced charges of improper conduct for a judge. The Indiana Supreme Court agreed to her offer to accept the terms announced Thursday.

Many people experience personal problems, just as the judge has, and the right course of action is to repair those problems and move on.

Friday Judge Koethe issued a public apology for her conduct and said she looks forward to moving on with her life and “restoring the public’s confidence in my position.”

It is time to move on.

[Dave]

The court has spoken. It’s time to move on. Those who disagree can vote against her if she runs again.

Heck, even if one agrees that it is time to move on, one can still not only vote against her in the next election, but actively campaign for another candidate.

Six year term. A lot of people forget things over that much time. Most likely her primary challengers won't, though.

[Tim]

One picture is worth.....

Not ONE comment on this moment of hilarity?

"One of the things that separates us from the animals is the ability to kick people when they're down".

Author unknown

[Dave]

Not ONE comment on this moment of hilarity?

Oh, I think we're going to see copies of that in the next judicial election cycle if she runs for re-election.

"One of the things that separates us from the animals is the ability to kick people when they're down".

Author unknown

Your unknown author has never seen an ostrich in action!

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/20...d5378533164.txt

Koethe should have gracefully resigned

Published: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 4:18 AM CDT
Judge Koethe, your behavior was indistinguishable from countless other drunken folks who will undoubtedly appear before you. A prompt and graceful resignation would have saved many people from wasting their valuable time on you and your unseemly personal life. You may move on and resume the bench, but you most certainly will not restore confidence in the position you will occupy.

It is a pity that we will not be rid of you for five more years, and even a greater pity that you will be three quarters of a million dollars richer from it.

Jean Dalenberg

Michigan City

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2010/0...b9190896166.txt

Koethe back on the bench

Matt Fritz/For The N-D Jennifer Koethe
By Craig Davison
Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, May 13, 2010 4:14 AM CDT
LA PORTE — Judge Jennifer Koethe on Tuesday returned to the bench in Superior Court 3 following her court-ordered suspension.

The Indiana Supreme Court placed her on 60-day suspension without pay March 11. The court accepted an agreement between Koethe and the Indiana Judicial Qualifications Commission that included the suspension and other provisions.

Koethe said she’s looking to putting the past behind her and moving forward.

“I’m very happy to be back,” she said, adding she is “looking forward to going on and resuming all my duties.”

Superior Court 3 handles civil cases and misdemeanor criminal cases.

Before the unpaid suspension, she was suspended with pay.

Koethe’s problems began before she was sworn in as judge in December 2008. She said she later accidentally shot herself in the head following a night of drinking. She and her husband, Stephan, got into an argument, and the gun fired after she picked it up to make her husband think she was considering suicide.

At the hospital, she told police officers about a note she wrote to her husband and asked him to destroy it because the contents were embarrassing.

Koethe was indicted by grand jury, but later acquitted of obstruction of justice charges in January.

Besides the suspension, she will have to recuse herself when witnesses appear in court who were involved in her investigation for one year.

She said she looks to continue to implement changes she started before being suspended, including changes in scheduling and working with the other judges in regards to adopting local court rules.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2010/0...80672813995.txt

Judge shouldn’t be on bench

Published: Friday, May 21, 2010 4:13 AM CDT
I am astonished that Judge Jennifer Koethe was allowed to return to the bench following her court-ordered suspension. She threatened suicide, then accidentally shot herself in the head during a drunken brawl with her husband. It seems obvious the woman has problems.

I hope I never have the misfortune of standing before her, as I would certainly have “contempt of court” added to my charges. Would you want to have her judge you?

Kinda like the winning primary candidate for assessor in Lake County. She had both Indiana and Michigan driver’s licenses and her vehicles plated in Michigan (cheaper). She used the address of a vacant lot there that she didn’t even own. Do you want her to tell you what you owe?

This is just a bit more evidence for the two-term limit. One term in office and a second in jail.

Bob Kolasa

Westville

[MCRogers1974]

One does wonder how this woman can sit in judgement of others when she clearly has an array of issues. I believe I read where she got into law school on some sort of "set aside" program - I understand she got into law school simply because she is a female even though she had far less credentials than the typical applicant.