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...