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**dragonsgirl**

"fx" wrote in message
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Judgment call

http://www.maysville-online.com/arti...al/621wood.txt

Tuesday, December 18, 2007 12:13 PM EST Print this story | Email this
story
In a ironic twist to the Amy Baker case, the judge has asked all parties
involved -- prosecutors, defense lawyers and the defendant -- to judge
whether he should be sitting on the bench for this case.

The Baker case has become one of the highest profile cases in our area in
recent years, meaning every move made by officials involved in the case is
examined under the media microscope. That made the move by Judge Stockton
Wood the latest target for intense scrutiny.

Baker, charged for her alleged role in the death of toddler Marcus Fiesel,
will be among those who will decide if Wood's relationship with
prosecutors make it impossible for him to render impartial decisions in
the Mason County case against Baker. Prosecutors say Baker helped burn the
child's body and dispose of the ashes after he died bound in a closet at
the home of his foster parents where she also lived as the foster father's
lover.

Baker was given immunity in Ohio in exchange for testimony that Ohio
prosecutors say was instrumental in sending foster parents David and Liz
Carroll to prison for the little boy's death. But after learning the ashes
were tossed from the William Harsha Bridge and into Kentucky's
jurisdiction, local law enforcement began an investigation which
eventually resulted in charges being filed against Baker here.

However, Ohio prosecutors have come to Baker's defense and claim Mason
County Attorney John Estill kind of, sort of, maybe also agreed not to
prosecute Baker. Estill says that isn't so. For the record, we tend to
believe him.

Nevertheless, Baker's defense attorneys have not only asked Wood to decide
if Estill is lying but also whether Baker's words spoken in testimony at
the foster parent's trial can be used against her in Kentucky.

Once the question of Estill's credibility was raised, Wood realized he
would be asked to rule on more than legalities in the case. He would, in
essence, be expected to rule on his former law partner's truthfulness. Not
only did Baker and Estill once practice law in the same firm, Estill
remains a law partner with Wood's uncle. The judge must have realized his
ability to remain unbiased would be brought into question.

In a gutsy move, Wood went to those most likely to be affected by his
decisions in the case, the defendant and prosecutor. He asked them to make
the call. If they all agree he can remain impartial, he will stay. But if
any one person doubts his impartiality, he will recuse himself.

While it is true this latest turn of events will further set back a case
that has already seemed to go on for way too long, we still admire Wood
for having the courage to turn the spotlight on himself and ask others to
judge him. That move gives us every confidence in his ability to make the
right and fair decision instead of the easy one, not only in

CURRENTLY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES VIOLATES MORE CIVIL RIGHTS ON A DAILY
BASIS THEN ALL OTHER AGENCIES COMBINED INCLUDING THE NATIONAL SECURITY
AGENCY/CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY WIRETAPPING PROGRAMS....

CPS Does not protect children...
It is sickening how many children are subject to abuse, neglect and even
killed at the hands of Child Protective Services.

every parent should read this .pdf from
connecticut dcf watch...

http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com/8x11.pdf

http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com

Number of Cases per 100,000 children in the US
These numbers come from The National Center on
Child Abuse and Neglect in Washington. (NCCAN)
Recent numbers have increased significantly for CPS

*Perpetrators of Maltreatment*

Physical Abuse CPS 160, Parents 59
Sexual Abuse CPS 112, Parents 13
Neglect CPS 410, Parents 241
Medical Neglect CPS 14 Parents 12
Fatalities CPS 6.4, Parents 1.5

Imagine that, 6.4 children die at the hands of the very agencies that are
supposed to protect them and only 1.5 at the hands of parents per 100,000
children. CPS perpetrates more abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse and kills
more children then parents in the United States. If the citizens of this
country hold CPS to the same standards that they hold parents too. No
judge should ever put another child in the hands of ANY government agency
because CPS nationwide is guilty of more harm and death than any human
being combined. CPS nationwide is guilty of more human rights violations
and deaths of children then the homes from which they were removed. When
are the judges going to wake up and see that they are sending children to
their death and a life of abuse when children are removed from safe homes
based on the mere opinion of a bunch of social workers.

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, HAPPILY DESTROYING THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT
FAMILIES YEARLY NATIONWIDE AND COMING TO YOU'RE HOME SOON...

BE SURE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR CANDIDATES STANDS ON THE ISSUE OF REFORMING
OR ABOLISHING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES ("MAKE YOUR CANDIDATES TAKE A
STAND ON THIS ISSUE.") THEN REMEMBER TO VOTE ACCORDINGLY IF THEY ARE
"FAMILY UNFRIENDLY" IN THE NEXT ELECTION...