On November 7, 2006 we reported on the apparent conflict of interest between Judge Stephen Mock and Yolo County Prosecutor Ann Hurd:
"One huge apparent conflict of interest is that Judge Stephen Mock is the lead Superior Court Judge in Yolo County. His wife is Ann Hurd, the Chief Deputy District Attorney. Judge Mock assigns cases to judges while his wife assigns prosecutors to the same cases."
The Sacramento Bee on Friday reports that a death penalty case involving two men charge with killing a CHP officer is on hold while a court decides whether Mock should be removed due to his wife's job.
While these are all issues that we brought up last month, it is unclear whether Hurd serving as Chief Deputy District Attorney in the office rather than the prosecutor in the case that is before Mock will taint the judgement of Mock. If a more general finding comes down, it seems likely that Mock would never be able to preside in a criminal case while his wife is in a leadership position at the District Attorney's Office.
A November 13, 2006 article in the Davis Enterprise suggests that is indeed the issue at stake.
---Doug Paul Davis reporting
"One huge apparent conflict of interest is that Judge Stephen Mock is the lead Superior Court Judge in Yolo County. His wife is Ann Hurd, the Chief Deputy District Attorney. Judge Mock assigns cases to judges while his wife assigns prosecutors to the same cases."
The Sacramento Bee on Friday reports that a death penalty case involving two men charge with killing a CHP officer is on hold while a court decides whether Mock should be removed due to his wife's job.
"An out-of-county judge, specially appointed to hear the controversy, has already decided in favor of Mock. That judge ruled that though it was a "close call," Mock can remain impartial."Their argument, as we suspected a month ago, centers around whether Judge Mock can separate his professional and private lives. Moreover, the defense argues that it is the "perception of the potential" for partiality that is the central issue.
While these are all issues that we brought up last month, it is unclear whether Hurd serving as Chief Deputy District Attorney in the office rather than the prosecutor in the case that is before Mock will taint the judgement of Mock. If a more general finding comes down, it seems likely that Mock would never be able to preside in a criminal case while his wife is in a leadership position at the District Attorney's Office.
A November 13, 2006 article in the Davis Enterprise suggests that is indeed the issue at stake.
Defense attorney argued that a judge can be disqualified “if the judge or spouse of the judge is a party to the proceeding... It is presumed that Judge Mock's spouse would participate in making policy decisions of the prosecutor's office handling this case, and some observers may reasonably entertain a doubt that the judge will be able remain impartial throughout the course that this case make take,” the motion states.Mock challenged this charge, noting that District Attorney David Henderson--his wife's boss--has exclusively handled this case.
“... I can say with certainty that my wife has never handled this matter, and that she has not - indeed she cannot - supervise Mr. Henderson inasmuch as she is in a subordinate position to him”As we have mentioned in the original article, sources claim that Mock and Hurd go to great lengths to act in a professional and ethical manner. However, as the delays in the case illustrates a further problem here--the mere appearance opens the door for the defense to use this as a delaying tactic. In the end, it will cost the county a great deal of time and energy to fight this move by the defense. Is this a worthwhile use of resources, when clearly in the future this issue will come up again?
---Doug Paul Davis reporting
