Abuse of Public Trust

In my view, Dist. Atty. Mike Bradbury is a man of vision, courage and ability, however, Mr. Bradbury’s recent blanket disqualification of Judge (Lawrence) Storch from hearing criminal cases is, in my opinion, an abuse of the public trust held by this powerful governmental official.

I am alarmed by the district attorney’s decision to disqualify an extremely able judge who has a well-earned reputation for being tough, but fair, when handling criminal cases. I am even more alarmed when the district attorney’s office makes comments to the media dismissing as “soft on crime” anyone who dares to criticize their position. Making personal attacks on their critics, as they did against retired Judge Willard when he took Mr. Bradbury to task, is itself an abuse of power.

Frequently, judges must perform their duties in a highly charged atmosphere, one brought on by a case’s particularly high profile.

For the district attorney to deliberately create additional pressure on the judges of Ventura County by threatening to disqualify them when they do not rubber stamp the district attorney’s position is simply wrong and unworthy of an otherwise excellent district attorney’s office. The court should not be bullied by the public, by the defense or by the district attorney himself if real justice is to prevail.

Judge Storch deserves an apology, as do those who have spoken in his defense and themselves been publicly criticized by prosecutors.

FREDERICK H. BYSSHE JR.

Ventura

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We wonder why the district attorney did not advocate the removal of Judge Storch from his criminal assignment after the judge refused to honor the district attorney’s commitment for probation for Mr. Charles Bothwell, a convicted murderer. In using his own judgment, Judge Storch sent him to state prison.

ANNETTE WHIPPLE

CHRIS CASSY

MAUREEN KOHLI

DENISE RIVAS

VICTORIA VILLAGRAN