Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 28, 1990 TAG: 9004280208
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A5 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium
Campbell, 61, maintained he had not ordered clerks to alter a traffic ticket to disguise the name of a friend. Campbell testified he was joking when he made the suggestion and that the clerks misunderstood.
The jury apparently believed the testimony of the clerks, who said Campbell ordered them to change the ticket. Jurors recommended three years in prison on the forgery conviction and 12 months in jail for malfeasance.
"He was dumb in kidding around, but that was his nature," Wayne Lustig, one of Campbell's attorneys, told the jury in closing arguments.
After the verdict was read, a grim Campbell left the court without comment. Lustig said the conviction would be appealed.
"I find the verdict quite shocking. That aside, now we will begin the appellate process," Lustig said.
On March 20, 1989, then Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney Paul A. Sciortino was in a traffic accident and issued a summons for an illegal left turn. Sciortino also was in a re-election campaign in which his driving record was an issue. When the ticket later came to light, Sciortino withdrew from the race.
On March 24, he pleaded guilty in Campbell's chambers and was fined $30 and court costs. Five minutes after he paid his summons, Sciortino's name was altered on a copy of the summons and on the computer records.
Campbell testified the computer information was altered because a deputy clerk, Kathleen Baker, misunderstood his joking for an order.
Baker and other clerks testified they belived the judge was ordering them to change the records.
In closing arguments, special prosecutor Mary Jackson told the jury there was no misunderstanding. "Judge Campbell was in his chambers with the doors closed with a politician and he told him what he was going to do."
by CNB