JUDICIAL ETHICS COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST BARBOUR COUNTY JUDGE BURT SMITHART
Viewed: 7971
Posted by: Jon Carroll
Date: Jan 29 2015 10:55 AM
The Alabama Justice Project has filed a judicial ethics complaint against Barbour County Circuit Court Judge Burt Smithart because of actions taken in the case of former Alabama Football player Will Dickerson who is accused of murder and robbery in the death of Willie Pugh. Dickerson has maintained his innocence and been in jail for now over three years, at times with no attorney.
The complaint alleges that Judge Burt Smithart has prevented Mr Dickerson from access to discovery files in his case, denied him access to his constitutional right to examine and inspect the evidence District Attorney Ben Reeves has against him.
The judge is additionally identified as making a terroristic threat against Will Dickerson and a former officer of the court has identified him as taking additional actions to threaten the individual to whom he made the statements to in order to force them to remain silent.
In the complaint it is revealed that Judge Smithart issued a court order on Feb 19, 2012 that over 708 days later has not been followed.
It is believed that this is done in collusion with the District Attorney to force Mr Dickerson to accept a plea bargain for a crime many believe he didn't commit. Multiple members of law enforcement say this is being done to protect those that murdered Willie Pugh.
The AJP filed the complaint with the Judicial Inquiry Commission this morning.
The complaint accuses Smithart of violating these Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics.
-- Improper public comment on pending and impending proceedings.
-- Lack of faithfulness to the law and failure of professional competence.
-- Failing to uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary.
-- Failure to provide competent administration of his court.
Earlier this week Mr Dickerson's trial was removed from Barbour county after a District Attorney staff member leaked false and misleading information to a WTVY (Dothan) reporter in an attempt to prejudice the jury pool.
<- back