Opinion ID: 2040056
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Preliminary Proceedings and Hearing

Text: The Disciplinary Commission of this Court filed a Verified Complaint for Public Reprimand against the Respondent in this Court on July 18, 1972. On the same day, notice was issued by the Clerk of this Court to the Sheriff of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, for service on the Respondent. This notice was served on the Respondent July 20, 1972 and an appropriate return made on that date. At the time the Complaint was filed, the Disciplinary Commission also filed a Petition for Appointment of Assistant Counsel. Pursuant thereto Hon. K. Richard Hawley, an attorney of Mt. Vernon, Indiana, was approved as Assistant Counsel by this Court August 21, 1972. Thereafter Hon. Warren W. Martin, Jr., Judge of the Clark Superior Court of Clark County, Indiana, was appointed by the Court as Hearing Officer and Judge in the cause. His death April 20, 1973 left the appointment vacant. The undersigned was appointed by order of this Court dated June 7, 1973, as corrected June 12, 1973. An oath was taken on that date and transmitted to the Court. After telephone communication with the attorneys for the Disciplinary Commission and the Respondent, the Hearing Officer and Judge issued a Notice of Hearing setting the matter for hearing at 9:00 o'clock A.M. July 17, 1973 in the Court Room of the Vanderburgh Circuit Court in the Vanderburgh County Court House at Evansville, Indiana. A copy of the notice is attached as an exhibit to this report and marked Exhibit 1. The hearing convened at the time and place fixed in the notice. The Disciplinary Commission appeared by John B. Ramming, Executive Secretary, and K. Richard Hawley, Assistant Counsel, and the Respondent appeared in person and by his attorney, Gaylon Clark, of the Evansville Bar. After being convened the hearing was moved, as permitted by the terms of the notice, to the Court Room of Hon. Paul Luster, J.P., directly across the hall from the Circuit Court Room. At the hearing it was agreed that the Disciplinary Commission would be given an opportunity after the hearing to file a brief with the Hearing Officer, the Respondent might then file an answer brief and the Disciplinary Commission then have the opportunity to reply to the answer brief. The cause was to be considered submitted after all briefs were filed. The Hearing Officer received the final brief October 9, 1973. Attached hereto are also the following Exhibits: Exhibit 2  Verified Complaint for Public Reprimand in Cause No. 772-S-97 Exhibit 3  Notice of Filing of Verified Complaint and Sheriff's return Exhibit 4  Petition for Appointment of Assistant Counsel Exhibit 5  Order Approving Appointment of Assistant Counsel Exhibit 6  Order Appointing Hearing Officer Exhibit 7  Corrected Order Appointing Hearing Officer Exhibit 8  Oath of Hearing Officer At the hearing July 17, 1973 evidence was heard from the following witnesses: Bette Jane White, Joe S. Hatfield, Robert H. Hayes, James M. Buthod, Herman L. McCray, James D. Lopp, Hon. Martin W. Newman, Hon. William H. Miller, William D. Stephens, Thomas Lockyear and Robert D. Norton, and there were received in evidence the depositions of Jack Norman VanStone, Gene E. Brooks and Robert H. Hahn. The Hearing Officer also considered the following documents admitted into evidence: Certified copy of Order for Admission on Examination Certified copy of Oath of Thomas Lockyear Entry Gibson Circuit Court, Cause No. C-70-341, May 11, 1971 (Exhibit A) Entry Gibson Circuit Court, Cause No. C-70-341, June 2, 1971 (Exhibit B) Entry Gibson Circuit Court, Cause No. C-70-341, June 2, 1971 (Exhibit C) Entry Gibson Circuit Court, Cause No. C-70-341, September 14, 1970 (Exhibit D) Copy of check, White Trucking Company, dated October 22, 1971 (Exhibit E) Affidavit of Bette Jane White 12/23/73 (Exhibit F) The parole testimony was taken in shorthand by Mrs. Nadine Lodge, the official Court Reporter for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. This testimony has been transcribed, certified to by the reporter and by the Hearing Officer. The items of documentary evidence precede the certificates to the transcript, and the three depositions are contained in a separate envelope transmitted herewith. The briefs filed by the parties are also filed herewith.