Opinion ID: 1854995
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 31

Heading: Contact with Dee Heineman

Text: On July 15, 1996, Heineman was Judge Hippe's court reporter in Gering. Respondent went to Heineman's office that day with a copy of supplemental interrogatory answers in the disciplinary proceeding in which it was stated that both Heineman and Doerr were going to testify about the fat glob remark. Heineman testified that respondent came within a foot of her and began yelling and saying he did not want her to get hurt. Respondent denied that he had made the statement. Marilyn Lynch, Judge Robert O. Hippe's bailiff, testified that she heard respondent yelling from a distance of approximately 60 feet although she could not make out the words. Heineman stated she felt threatened. Respondent acknowledges that he went to Heineman's office that day but contends he went to tell her, in person, that he did not make the fat glob statement nor did he threaten her in any way. The master, noting his previous finding that the fat glob statement was, in fact, made, found that respondent's conduct in contacting Heineman was in violation of Canons 1, 1(A), 2, and 2(A) of the Code of Judicial Conduct and § 24-722(6) and Neb. Rev.Stat. § 28-919 (Reissue 1995).