Opinion ID: 1141284
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the torrence and ligon cases

Text: Keith J. Torrence, a Jackson resident, while on his honeymoon, was stopped on June 30, 1979, by Officer Silkwood on Interstate 10 in Hancock County. Both Torrence and Silkwood got out of their vehicles, Torrence handed Silkwood his driver's license and was told he was speeding. When Torrence told Silkwood he was on his honeymoon, Silkwood gave him a verbal warning and returned his license, but did not give him any ticket. James G. Ligon, a resident of Grenada, was also stopped by Silkwood on Interstate 10 on July 22, 1979. Silkwood began writing Ligon a ticket but stopped, and instead warned Ligon to take it easy and slow down. Ligon also left without Silkwood giving him the ticket. Silkwood did not testify at the hearing, and according to Anderson, Silkwood presented him with an original and a copy of the tickets made out against both individuals. The original of the ticket was supposed to have been delivered to the violator when he was stopped for the offense, and Anderson knew that in both cases tickets had not been delivered either to Torrence or Ligon. Nevertheless, he found them both guilty of speeding and suspended the sentences. An entry to this effect was made on his docket and on both tickets (including the copies forwarded to the Department of Public Safety). Torrence was found guilty on July 16, 1979; Ligon was found guilty on September 10, 1979. Also, on his claim to the chancery clerk he noted both had been found guilty with suspended sentences, and requested payments of $10.00 costs in both cases. In January, 1980, Ligon was astonished to receive a notice from the Department of Public Safety that his driver's license had been suspended and that a warrant had been issued for his arrest for failure to appear in court. He immediately called the Department, and learned that the notice was issued because of his failure to appear before Anderson in response to a ticket that Officer Silkwood had turned in. Torrence learned of the proceedings before Anderson when questioned by a newspaper reporter about it. Anderson's only explanation of his conduct as to Torrence and Ligon is set forth in his answer to request for admissions. He answered therein that neither Torrence nor Ligon appeared before him, that he had found them both guilty and had suspended their sentences in connection with the tickets. The following request for admission was also addressed to him: 5. That you never gave either Mr. Torrence or Mr. Ligon notice of any proceeding in connection with said tickets prior to said guilty finding, or gave them any opportunity to appear before you at a definite time and place. He replied as follows: 5. True, Silkwood requested the tickets be suspended, that the defendants had pleaded guilty and were on a emergency run. Silkwood told me that after he gave them the tickets, and understanding their problems, he then took the tickets back, after they pleaded for help. He then told them he would recommend to the Judge that the tickets be suspended. He then told them, if they didn't hear anything from the Judge within a few days, the ticket would be suspended. This is what Silkwood told me.    I think the Commission's fairness was demonstrated in that even though other charges were brought against Anderson, the Commission found that Anderson's knowing participation in these alleged irregularities was not established by clear and convincing evidence. [3]