By tomorrow night we will know some things that we don't know now.
For instance, whether Barack Obama get four more years or will Mitt Romney be the new president-elect.
We'll know who is in a runoff for 26th JDC Judge (and I'm assuming there will be a runoff).
In case you've been hiding under a rock for the last couple of months, the candidates are Judge John Slattery of Springhill, ADA Mike Nerren and Whit Graves.
John Slattery has been practicing law for 29 years, serving the last 12 as City Judge and Ward 2 Judge in Springhill. He has served temporary terms as District Judge and as Bossier City Judge, by appointment of the Louisiana Supreme Court. He also served 15 years as an assistant District Attorney for Bossier/Webster.
Mike Nerren is a graduate of Haughton High School and LSU Law School. He has a private practice and is an assistant DA. Nerren has the endorsement of DA Schuyler Marvin.
Whit Graves has been involved in the legal system for 35 years. He was a Louisiana State Trooper for 12 years before completing law school. He has worked on both sides, serving as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney. Graves has spent a lot of time in the courtroom, completing more than 100 successful jury trials. Graves believes that while it is not illegal, that it is unethical for the District Attorney to endorse in a judicial race. Nerren counters that endorsements from public officials is a widely accepted practice. You have to be the judge on this one.
The Town of Benton has a couple of interesting races going on. The Mayor's race is a rerun between current Mayor Wayne Cathcart and Ken Shiflett. Cathcart was appointed when Mayor Doughty passed away, and was elected over Shiflett in the special election for that office. Cathcart should have no problem with this election.
The race for chief of police is between current chief Charles Pilkinton and former assistant chief Gene Hillen. Hillen currently serves as Constable.
This race is interesting because Hillen was terminated and charged with misdemeanor theft and with public payroll fraud.
Hillen was offered a plea arrangement which would basically have been a slap on the wrist, but turned it down. He told me that he is innocent and that people who are innocent don't plead guilty.
The case went to trial and all evidence was heard. It was then recessed until November 12th (6 days after the election).
Chances are that Pilkinton will be re-elected, but if Hillen is found not guilty there will probably be some repercussions.
Who (besides Graves) thinks there is something wrong with someone endorsing a candidate? Sheriff Prator endorses candidates all the time. Legislators endorse all the time. It sounds to me like Graves was simply unable to get any endorsements.
ReplyDeleteIf you are ever falsely accused of a crime you won't think it is good for the Judge to be the handpicked boy of the DA.
ReplyDeleteOBVIOUSLY,YOUR BLOG IS VERY ONE SIDED!!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't see anything one sided
ReplyDeleteAll of Nerren's qualifications are not listed but the majority knows and that's why the majority always wins.
ReplyDeleteWell seeing the way our D.A. cuts deals to criminals, being accused of a crime whether guilty or innocent, you shouldn't worry too much. All you have to do is hire Eric Johnson and your sure to get a sweetheart deal.
ReplyDelete6:29 - I based the qualifications based on what the candidates sent me.
ReplyDeleteMarvin is a stand-up guy-just ask Sentell!!! lol
ReplyDeleteJim, I am not as sure as you that we will know by tonight if it will be Obama or Romney who is inaugurated on January 20th. Remember 12 years ago when it took several weeks until the Republican Supreme Court finally just stepped in and declared Bush to be the next President. The electorate is even more evenly divided this time. Would not surprise me at all if either the House of Representatives (which the Constitution provides for), or the Supreme Court (which set the precedent of usurping the power in 2000), decided this election.
ReplyDeleteAPOV - I could see that happening.
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ReplyDelete8:33 AM - I am republishing your comment with one change.
ReplyDeleteEven if Hillen doesn't win the election, he will still win in court. The prosecutors obviously have a weak case or they never would have offered a plea deal. It'll be interesting to see how much money the town of Benton has to pay when Hillen is found not guilty. Money that could have been spent elsewhere. This case boils down to a (person) who seems to be pulling political strings. Can't wait to see the results of the election and trial.
8:33
ReplyDeleteThe fact one receives a "plea deal" or plea offer should not be inferred the State has a weak case. Over 98% of all criminal cases are offered some type of plea offer by the State. If offers were not made there would be a major back-log in the criminal system and the majority of cases would prescribe. Plea offers are a necessity, not an alternative to weak cases
3:39,
ReplyDeleteI agree plea bargains are apart of the system BUT Shylur Marvin and his group of ADA's have taken plea bargin to a whole new extreme. When dangerous criminals are being put in jail for serious offenses and then being allowed to plea to something very minor then there is a problem. Not with the case but with the prosecution.
Graves lost his last 2 Judge races to Ford Stinson, Jr. and John Robinson - and that was before he was suspended for misconduct as a lawyer. If Bossier/Webster elects him now as a Judge, then we just put the fox in charge of the henhouse.
ReplyDeleteI'd keep a close eye on the Hillen case. It's getting pretty nasty.
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ReplyDeleteYou are bringing someone into this who has nothing to do with it.
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ReplyDeleteWhy do you keep removing my comments on hitler/hillen, whatever he goes by? I am simply stating the truth! You must be buddies with him. You two probably still cry about him losing. I rejoice in it every day!!! I hope he spent a fortune on campaign signs.
ReplyDeleteIf you are determined to compare Gene Hillen to Adolf Hitler, go right ahead. That reflects a lot more on you than it does on him. I have met him, but no, we're not 'buddies'. No, I'm not crying about him losing because I predicted that Charles Pilkinton would be re-elected.
ReplyDeleteI do think he's a nice guy and whatever happens, I hope he lands with his feet on the ground and I wish him every success.
You think hes a nice guy? You are aware he was FIRED from Benton Police for STEALING cash from our kids baseball fund, right? You wish him success? Your statement reflects alot about YOU. He only had 30% votes. No one in this town likes him, and thats a fact. He MUST be removed from his little constable job, asap.
ReplyDeleteApparently 30% of the people in Benton like him. Like I said, I've met him and he seemed like a nice guy. Of course I wish him success. He lost his job and was convicted of a crime, as I said, and I repeat, I hope he lands with his feet on the ground and I wish him success.
ReplyDeleteHey, did you see the Inquisitor about a month ago about Hitler/Hillen getting busted for payroll fraud at his constable job? He STOLE from bpsd, lying about his hours to get paid more. Inquisitor stated he was resigning, I guess so he wouldn't get fired from bpsd. Still think he is a nice guy? Just think about what all he's stolen and didn't get caught, til recently. He deserves jailtime, and I pray he gets it. At least he can't be employed in law enforcement again. Ever!!! I know you hope he lands on his feet, but guess what, he will be on his knees more than once when he goes to prison. He will fit right in with the other criminals, and they just love when crooked cops share a cell w them. Ill keep you updated on his most recent theft, as I'm going to the courthouse to get full details on his most recent theft(s) ( at least the one(s) he got caught for). Maybe he could get a job at a convenience store, like the Benton cop Trujillo, who was fired as well. No, that wouldn't work. Convenience stores have video surveillance, so Hillen couldn't work there. Oh well. He shouldn't steal. Actually, I'm glad he did. No more Hillen/Hitler!! Life is great!!!
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