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Judge Boothe says new evidence introduced
Seventh Judicial District Judge Leo Boothe said today he filed a motion on Sept. 25 asking the Louisiana Supreme Court to consider new evidence recently uncovered in his case.
The Judiciary Commission has recommended that Boothe be removed from office.
In a 70-page report, the commission accused Boothe of misconduct involving the case of James Skipper of Ferriday, who was convicted in 2002 on drug charges. Skipper's sentence was later reduced and Skipper freed.
Boothe said discussion during a hearing before the Supreme Court on Sept. 7 centered on three letters exchanged between Boothe and Skipper. The commission alleges in Court IV that these letters constituted improper exparte communication between the two. The communication is alleged improper by the commission because Boothe never notified the District Attorney about the letters, according to legal documents filed.
In his deposition, Boothe said he could not recall whether he informed the District Attorney of his communications with Skipper.
However, an affidavit provided by District Attorney Brad Burget indicates the judge did communicate the existence of the letters to the state. Boothe said this information disproves Count IV, which he said dominated oral arguments before the justices on Sept. 7.
Burget noted in his Sept. 24 affidavit: "During the late summer or early fall of 2008, Judge Boothe showed me a series of correspondence between he and Inmate James Skipper. This information was of interest because I too received a letter from Inmate James Skipper. I immediately shared all the above information with District Attorney John Johnson."
Additionally, Burget reported that he has "never been interviewed by any investigative agency(s) regarding my knowledge or involvement in the above referenced matters."
Boothe said his new motion asks the court to remand the matter to the commission.For the full story, subscribe to the The Concordia Sentinel's NEW E-Edition! |
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