CJC No. 8899-F-186
November 22, 2019
From an agreed statement of facts, Benton and Franklin Counties Superior Court Judge Bruce Spanner stipulated that he violated Canon 1 (Rules 1.1 and 1.2) and Canon 2 (Rules 2.2, 2.3(A), 2.6(A) and 2.9) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. Judge Spanner violated the Code by issuing a court order with judicial "findings of fact" and "conclusions of law" in a case that was not before him for a decision, and he did so on his own initiative without giving notice or an opportunity to be heard prior to entering the order. Moreover, the findings and conclusions gratuitously impugned the integrity of the attorneys involved and was not based on competent evidence, but rather on mere speculation and conjecture from what the judge described as "back hall courthouse chatter." The judge's actions denied the parties and their attorneys an opportunity to be heard, created a perception of unfairness and partiality and were improperly based in part on ex parte information. The Commission reprimanded Judge Spanner and ordered him to certify that he has read the Code of Judicial Conduct within one month and complete four hours of pre-approved judicial ethics training within one year.
Certificate and Order of Completion filed 6/26/2020.
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Reprimand filed 11/22/2019.
Press Release Canceling Hearing filed 10/11/2019.
First Amended Notice of Fact-Finding Hearing filed 9/9/2019.
Notice of Fact-Finding Hearing filed 6/13/2019.
Answer to Statement of Charges filed 5/22/2019.
Statement of Charges filed 5/2/2019.
CJC No. 9014-F-184
April 26, 2019
From an agreed statement of facts, Spokane County Superior Court Judge Timothy Fennessy stipulated that he violated Canon 1 (Rules 1.1 and 1.2) and Canon 2 (Rule 2.5(A)) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. Judge Fennessy violated the Code when he took more than the time permitted by the State Constitution, state statute, and the Code of Judicial Conduct in deciding two cases before him. The Commission admonished Judge Fennessy and ordered him to promptly review the Code and, for a one year period following entry of this stipulation, Respondent will affirm in writing to the Commission every three months that he has no matters with decisions pending beyond ninety days.
Certificate and Order of Completion filed 6/26/2020.
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Admonishment filed 4/26/2019.
CJC No. 9126-F-185
April 26, 2019
From an agreed statement of facts, former King County District Court Judge David Meyer stipulated that he violated Canon 1 (Rules 1.1 and 1.2) and Canon 2 (Rules 2.6(A), 2.8(A) and (B)) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. Judge Meyer violated the Code when, during two hearings for Anti-Harassment Orders, he was unnecessarily confrontational, unreasonably limited the litigants' presentations of their respective cases, criticized a domestic violence survivor for her choice in relationships, and laughed at a response of a lawyer who was present for one of the hearings. Judge Meyer indicated that he believed this was a one-time lapse in appropriate demeanor and also noted that it occurred during what he described as a long and difficult calendar. The Commission admonished Judge Meyer and ordered him to promptly review the Code and complete two hours of courtroom demeanor training before resuming judicial service.
Certificate and Order of Completion filed 6/28/2019.
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Admonishment filed 4/26/2019.
Exhibit A: Audio Excerpt 1 filed 4/26/2019.
Exhibit A: Audio Excerpt 2 filed 4/26/2019.
Exhibit A: Audio Excerpt 3 filed 4/26/2019.
Exhibit A: Audio Excerpt 4 filed 4/26/2019.
Exhibit A: Audio Excerpt 5 filed 4/26/2019.
Exhibit A: Audio Excerpt 6 filed 4/26/2019.
Exhibit A: Audio Excerpt 7 filed 4/26/2019.
Exhibit A: Audio Excerpt 8 filed 4/26/2019.
Exhibit A: Audio Excerpt 9 filed 4/26/2019.