THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 23, 1996 TAG: 9610230002
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 31 lines
The case of resigned Circuit Court Judge Luther C. Edmonds has been the subject of several articles in the local newspaper, as well as one Oct. 7 in the Virginia Lawyers Weekly, a periodical read by many practicing attorneys.
With no knowledge of the facts surrounding the Edmonds case, neither the citizenry in general nor the local bar in particular is in a position to take sides or attempt to judge the merits of the case.
However, one thing is crystal clear: The recent news articles present only one side of what transpired. The remaining eight Circuit Court judges in Norfolk are bound by law not to comment on the case. They cannot defend themselves when the press prints allegations against them of racial discrimination, improper supervision (of bondsmen) and failing to carry out their administrative responsibilities.
For a very different reason (because it is not privy to the facts) the organized Bar cannot defend Mr. Edmonds or the sitting judges. However, speaking on behalf of the executive committee of the Norfolk-Portsmouth Bar Association, I wish to express the committee's high level of confidence in the integrity, the diligence and the lack of racial bias of the eight sitting judges of the Norfolk Circuit Court.
HOWARD W. MARTIN JR.
President-elect
Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar
Association
Norfolk, Oct. 10, 1996 by CNB