Opinion ID: 1880792
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Threatening Remarks

Text: Jones admits to making a statement to Wagner that he would like to turn Prochaska's head into pink mist. However, Jones states that he was venting when he made this comment and that the pink mist comment is somewhat humorous to him. Jones also admits to telling a court employee that if it were not for his wife and children, he would blow Prochaska away. Wagner testified that over the past 6 or 7 years, Jones made threatening statements about Prochaska almost every time he and Jones spoke together. For example, Jones spoke of putting dynamite in the tailpipe of Prochaska's car and of burying Prochaska in the sand up to her head, pouring honey over her head, and putting ants on her head. Jones offered exhibit 64, a deposition indicating that other judges at the county court played jokes during judges' meetings and indicating that Prochaska had also made some intemperate remarks. The special master did not receive exhibit 64. The special master concluded that the conduct described in count 3 violated Canons 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 3B(4), and 3C(1) and (2) of the Code of Judicial Conduct and was in violation of § 24-722(6). The commission adopted the special master's findings. Jones admits to making many of the intemperate remarks in count 3, and in his brief, he states that he accepts the findings of the commission and the special master. However, Jones contends that exhibit 64 should have been allowed into evidence, and he requests that we consider this exhibit in our de novo review. However, Jones made a preargument motion to this court offering exhibit 64 into evidence, which we denied. The numerous incidents of intemperate remarks and threatening behavior in count 3 are clearly inconsistent with the high standards expected of those in judicial office. As stated previously in our discussion of count 2, it is immaterial what motivated Jones to make such remarks. Rather, we are concerned with the results of the conduct. See In re Complaint Against Kneifl, 217 Neb. 472, 351 N.W.2d 693 (1984). Of particular concern is that the outbursts of temper and the use of loud, abusive, vulgar, and threatening language in the presence of a fellow judge and court employees has been an ongoing problem over a period of years and clearly constitutes an abuse of judicial power. It is abundantly clear that such behavior is disruptive to the functioning of the court and harms the integrity of the judicial system as a whole. Accordingly, we adopt the findings and conclusions of the special master and the commission concluding that the conduct violates Canons 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 3B(4), and 3C(1) and (2) of the Code of Judicial Conduct and was conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, in violation of § 24-722(6).