Opinion ID: 1808114
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 17

Heading: Character References

Text: Roth testified that, as of the time of the referee's hearing, he and Rhodes had gotten along professionally for approximately 1 year. Roth described Rhodes as being courteous and professional and said that Rhodes' bad conduct was out of character. Howard Spencer, Gary Washburn, and Steven Stumpff, all practicing attorneys in Broken Bow, testified they were of the opinion that Rhodes was truthful and honest. None of these witnesses had experienced an instance where Rhodes filed criminal charges which were not based on the facts or the law. Rhodes was described as a good criminal lawyer who was well prepared and showed a good grasp of the issues. Ronald Ruff, an attorney from North Platte whose firm contracts to do public defender work in Custer County, testified that he became acquainted with Rhodes in late 1988. Ruff was of the opinion that Rhodes was well prepared and had a good grasp of the law. Ruff noted that Rhodes was extremely courteous and that he had not noticed any charges filed by Rhodes that were not based on the facts or the law. Attorneys Carlos Schaper, William Steffens, and Ted Huston also testified that they were of the opinion that Rhodes was truthful, honest, courteous, professional, and competent. The record also contains letters of endorsement from the following people: Robert Scott, Custer County supervisor; Herbert Buntemeyer, Custer County supervisor; Robert L. Leatherly, Custer County supervisor; Ronald Ruff; W.G. Arnold, D.D.S.; Grayston Cool, Custer County supervisor; Roberta Snyder, teacher; Donald Ellingson, register of deeds; Lea Dell Jones, Custer County treasurer; Eugene Schiltz, Custer County surveyor; Robert Jacobsen, mayor of Broken Bow; Edwin Scott, Custer County supervisor; L.O. Muhlbach, chief of police; Larry Hickenbottom, Custer County supervisor; Bryan Clark, pastor of Berean Fundamental Church; John Finney, former associate county judge and clerk magistrate; Marian Woodward, Custer County clerk; Leroy Schaad, Custer County assessor; Harry Duryea, Custer County highway superintendent; Max Bristol, Custer County weed control authority superintendent; and Joseph Divis, Blaine County Attorney.