ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 17, 1996 TAG: 9601170064
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press
Young assault victims, social workers and a county attorney urged state legislators Tuesday to deny a second term to a Hanover County judge who dismissed a teen-ager's sex crime charges on a technicality.
During an unusual public renomination hearing, several children and parents denounced Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judge Nina K. Peace for dismissing rape, forcible sodomy and three other felony convictions against a teen-ager in 1992.
``I have been very angry at Judge Nina Peace because she let the people who are responsible for this walk away,'' said one boy who, at age 7, was raped by a 13-year-old boy.
Peace ``does not deserve enough respect to be on the bench, because of her irresponsible decisions,'' said the boy, who is now 11.
Peace claimed prosecutors in the case failed to prove that the 13-year-old was younger than 18, so she had no assurance he was tried in the proper court. People 18 and older are tried as adults.
After dismissing the case, Peace forbade lawyers and other court personnel from discussing her ruling, so the 7-year-old's parents were unaware for seven months that the convictions had been dismissed.
The child's mother testified before the House Courts of Justice Committee that Peace had a conflict of interest in the case. She said the judge had represented the suspect's stepfather in 1988 when he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery of a 14-year-old. She said Peace should have removed herself from hearing the boy's case.
Other witnesses said Peace is often rude and intimidating, and her courtroom is in chaos. Five assistant county attorneys have complained about Peace's behavior on the bench, said County Attorney Sterling E. Rives III.
At least 20 people spoke against her at the hearing. Her supporters - including a former law client and an attorney who often appears in her court - began speaking in her favor late in the afternoon.
``She may be a little impatient,'' said attorney Watson Marshall. ``But Judge Peace is an excellent judge. She knows the law.''
Such public hearings are rare; judicial appointments are usually discussed privately. Forty-three other judges are up for reappointment this year, but only Peace is the subject of a special hearing. Lawmakers were unable to recall the last time such a hearing was held.
The committee is expected to vote by the end of next week on her reappointment. If it endorses Peace, the entire House will vote on the matter. The Senate also must approve the reappointment.
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Being judged. Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judgeby CNBNina K. Peace listens as irate Hanover County residents tell why
they don't want her reappointed as
a judge (ran on A-1). color.