×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Remove Loughry From the Court

West Virginia state senators cannot conduct an impeachment trial for state Supreme Court Justice Margaret Workman, a panel of five circuit judges acting temporarily as the state’s highest court has ruled. Because similar constitutional issues affect a second person, retired Justice Robin Davis, it is possible the ruling last week will prevent an impeachment trial for her, too.

That should not stop senators from going ahead with a trial for Justice Allen Loughry — and removing him permanently from the Supreme Court.

Loughry was suspended from the court after federal officials charged him with about two dozen criminal offenses. Then, the House of Delegates approved articles of impeachment against him. State senators have scheduled a trial on that matter to begin Nov. 12.

Loughry’s case differs enormously from those of other impeached justices. In essence, they were accused of handling court-related matters improperly (another justice, Menis Ketchum, also was charged with federal offenses. He resigned and pleaded guilty).

In Loughry’s case, the federal charges involve actual crimes — not, as withWorkman and Davis, what amounts to mismanagement.

On Friday, a jury convicted Loughry on 11 counts involving various crimes.

There is no question here involving control over how the high court is run. Loughry commited crimes. He defrauded the people of West Virginia.

State senators should go ahead with his trial, then, and remove him from office.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today