Letter to the editor teaser

The Reelect Wes Williams for Judge campaign has an elephant in the room: The 31-page memo from Union County District Attorney Kelsie McDaniel supporting her motions to disqualifying Judge Williams from most criminal cases.

Her memo presents in detail the conduct and rulings justifying his disqualification. However, there has been no point-by-point refuting of the memo by Judge Williams. If the McDaniel memo is accurate, then Judge Williams has no business being on the bench.

A supporting letter in the testimony supporting Senate Bill 807, a bill which passed the Legislature in 2023 and which allows judges to challenge disqualification motions, says that blanket disqualifications are “truly a problem.” There are 179 circuit court judges across 27 districts in Oregon. There are three long-term blanket disqualifications (besides Judge Williams) including one where the judge retired in 2021. The letter implies that there are numerous other blanket disqualifications out there, apparently hiding. Which judges? Name them. It is clear that disqualification of judges is extremely rare, and taken very seriously by the district attorneys  proposing them.

The services of Judge Williams are not wanted in two neighboring circuits. There is no coherent explanation for Judge Williams’ failure to contest his disqualification (provided for in SB 807) until after the election.

McDaniel’s memo is bad enough, when considering the morale and workload effects, and reputation of the court. But there is also a public safety issue. Giving “frequent fliers” endless chances puts the community at risk. Judge Williams can’t seem to take his defense attorney hat off and be fair and impartial, a requirement for judges. My vote is for Jared Boyd.

Stephen Boe

La Grande