More than a year after she was removed from the bench, Judge Elizabeth Halverson is getting a full hearing on her case. The main witness on the first day of the hearing was Judge Halverson's former bailiff who broke down and cried on the stand.
The bailiff's name is Johnnie Jordan. He was hired by Judge Halverson when she first took the bench, and today he told his side of the story. Jordan says it didn't take long for Judge Halverson to begin asking him to do personal tasks.
Jordan says they included making sure she had ice water, heating up her lunch and even picking up sunflower seeds that ended up on the floor.
At one point, Jordan became so emotional that he stood up from the witness stand and looked directly at Judge Halverson.
Jordan: "I am doing everything to keep my composure here. I can't stand what she did to me. And my question is why? What does it say for America? What does it say about all of you? I don't have any faith in nothing."
Attorney: "Objection that is non-responsive."
Judge Richard Wagner: "Just a second."
Jordan: "I don't have any faith in nothin' -- it's not right. She asked me how it made me feel? I feel like I have a right, can I have some rights here to answer it."
Judge Richard Wagner: "Go ahead. Go ahead and state your answer sir."
Jordan: "It is not right. What does it say about America, what does it say about the President of the United States? If you guys allow her to be in office after all of this, what does it say about all of you? What does it say? This is bullcrap. I was up here, robbed of my rights, my dignity. How would you feel if it happened to you? How would you feel?"
Judge Richard Wagner: "It is important that we have some decorum here. Let's just take a minute. Before we start cross examination I want to take a short recess."
Attorney: "I am finished your honor."
The hearing is scheduled to last all week. The Judicial Discipline Commission has the power to remove Judge Halverson from the bench or could re-instate her and allow her to finish her term.
Email your comments to Reporter Mark Sayre.
Judge Elizabeth Halverson (KLAS-TV file photo)
