Post by Logan on Jun 27, 2016 0:38:16 GMT -6
Federal Judge Blocks Mapp’s Attempt To Remove Dunston; New Hearing In Ten Days
ST. THOMAS — Federal Judge Curtis Gomez on Friday granted Judge Michael Dunston a 10-day restraining order against Governor Kenneth Mapp, blocking the governor from replacing Mr. Dunston with Judge Harold Willocks as presiding judge of the territory’s Superior Court.
Judge Gomez has yet to schedule a preliminary injunction date, but it is expected to be set before the ten-day restraining order expires.
Judge Willocks was set to commence his tenure as presiding judge on Sunday — just two days ahead of Friday’s judgment. The governor said his decision to replace Judge Dunston was based on the slow pace in which cases go to trial in the Virgin Islands. He said the Superior Court lost millions while attempting to computerize its system, and still remains out of sync in an age of technology. Amplifying the problem, Mr. Mapp said, some judges were failing to report to work. And while the federal judiciary has offered the Superior Court access to use its system for little to no fees, the Superior Court had yet to utilize the offer. “The Superior Court remains lethargic, non-functioning and simply, in 2016, a paper operation,” Mr. Mapp said.
But at the hearing Judge Dunston, who was represented by attorney Edward Barry, said he does not intend to relinquish his role as presiding judge of the Superior Court. The governor is being represented by Assistant Attorney General Carol Thomas-Jacobs.
Read more: viconsortium.com/breaking-news/federal-judge-blocks-mapps-attempt-to-remove-dunston-new-hearing-in-ten-days/
ST. THOMAS — Federal Judge Curtis Gomez on Friday granted Judge Michael Dunston a 10-day restraining order against Governor Kenneth Mapp, blocking the governor from replacing Mr. Dunston with Judge Harold Willocks as presiding judge of the territory’s Superior Court.
Judge Gomez has yet to schedule a preliminary injunction date, but it is expected to be set before the ten-day restraining order expires.
Judge Willocks was set to commence his tenure as presiding judge on Sunday — just two days ahead of Friday’s judgment. The governor said his decision to replace Judge Dunston was based on the slow pace in which cases go to trial in the Virgin Islands. He said the Superior Court lost millions while attempting to computerize its system, and still remains out of sync in an age of technology. Amplifying the problem, Mr. Mapp said, some judges were failing to report to work. And while the federal judiciary has offered the Superior Court access to use its system for little to no fees, the Superior Court had yet to utilize the offer. “The Superior Court remains lethargic, non-functioning and simply, in 2016, a paper operation,” Mr. Mapp said.
But at the hearing Judge Dunston, who was represented by attorney Edward Barry, said he does not intend to relinquish his role as presiding judge of the Superior Court. The governor is being represented by Assistant Attorney General Carol Thomas-Jacobs.
Read more: viconsortium.com/breaking-news/federal-judge-blocks-mapps-attempt-to-remove-dunston-new-hearing-in-ten-days/