JONESBORO, Ark. — Just days after the district prosecutor questioned the fitness of Judge-elect Doug Brimhall to be sworn in as a circuit judge in Northeast Arkansas, another prominent leader and victim advocate is raising concerns about the same topic.
Casey Kidd, the executive director of the Family Crisis Center, Inc., sent a letter of concern to the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission. The letter, dated October 7, voices concerns regarding Brimhall overseeing cases that could “impact victims that we serve.”
“I feel it is my duty to bring about facts to you to prove why it would be absolutely detrimental to allow Judge-Elect Brimhall to serve Division 4 of District 2 in this judicial role,” Kidd wrote in the letter.
Kidd said she recently attended a Human-Centric Investigations conference organized by the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault, where data shared weighed heavily on her, especially since the plea deal. She wrote that one piece of data was that 11% of sexual assault victims do not report their assault because they’re afraid of the legal process. Furthermore, 95% of victims who do report later regret it.
“If an individual who has been charged with aggravated assault on a family or household member, a felony, and third-degree domestic battery and ultimately pleads guilty to a harassment charge but is still allowed to serve our community as a circuit judge who will oversee cases including but not limited to those involving domestic violence and sexual assault, what does that say about our system?” Kidd asked in the letter. “Does this say that our system is a safe place for a victim? Does this say that our system follows the motto that, ‘no one is above the law?’ Does this say that our system does everything possible to protect the victim and convict the perpetrator? From my standpoint, I, unfortunately, do not feel that I can answer yes to the questions that I posed.”
The letter notes that Brimhall took an oath to abide by rules of professional conduct and any other standard of ethics proclaimed by the court. Kidd writes that Brimhall, in her belief, has not kept his oath, nor does she see how he can do so going forward.
The letter was also sent to all 2nd Judicial Circuit Court Judges, Arkansas Chief Justice Dan Kemp, and Charlene Fleetwood, Deputy Director for Arkansas Judiciary Office of Professional Conduct. Members of the media were also sent the letter.
READ MORE: Letter of Concern RE- Judge-Elect Doug Brimhall
SHARE THIS STORY WITH OTHERS:
Discover more from NEA Report
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Casey Kidd’s last four jobs: 3 months, 10 months, 1 year 7 months, 6 months if your LinkedIn profile is to be believed. Makes you wonder. And sending it to everybody and his brother…
I think Ms. Kidd is right. I think she has stated things that should be considered and taken very seriously. I don’t know when our society decided as long as a person has status and wealth, that person should go on and prosper as if nothing happened. A person that is poor and not seen as a socialite, would be prosecuted and sentenced and at the very least, fined for such conduct. This is becoming an epidemic in our society. Starting from the Trump administration it has almost gotten to the point of no return for our country. In America, we say all men are created equal but we don’t really believe that because if we did, Mr. Trump would not be allowed to run for the office of POTUS. It makes me feel sick inside at the immoral state that our country has fallen to.
This comment is being posted on behalf of Paul Ford:
“Over 30 years ago, I was honored to represent Jason Baldwin in a trial that is now commonly known as the West Memphis Three. The media frenzy surrounding the allegations of three 8-year-old boys being murdered and sexually mutilated in a satanic ritual brought national attention to the case. Sadly, Jason and the other two teenagers accused of this crime were all but instantly convicted. The presumption of innocence was nowhere to be found.
Fortunately, the national media attention resulted in two documentary films makers coming to West Memphis to further explore the facts. I was able to sit down with them in a coffee shop and come to an understanding so as to allow them unfettered access to the “rest of the story.”
The resulting documentary became an instant success that still has people watching the trilogy of documentaries to this day. Many famous and influential people who watched the documentaries got involved in the defense of the “West Memphis Three” and through the great work of a legal team that was assembled, Jason and the other two young men convicted of these crimes are now free.
The instant media attention was a major factor in the conviction of Jason. The media attention was also THE driving force that led to his release from prison many years later.
The criminal charges brought against Doug Brimhall were certainly newsworthy. Add in the influence of social media, and the public and other uniformed individuals are free to comment and convict someone. Again, the presumption of innocence was nowhere to be found.
While there hasn’t been a documentary filmed, there was a very important Motion filed by the Prosecutor in an attempt to limit the information that the jury could be told in the defense of Mr. Brimhall. Mr. Brimhall’s defense team, led by Bill Stanley and Randel Miller, filed a response to the State’s effort to limit the information and prevent the telling of the “rest of the story.”
Once filed, the Prosecutor requested that the Response be filed under seal to prevent the public from being able to access the sensitive and personal information contained in the filing. Mr. Brimhall agreed to do so immediately to protect his daughter and her privacy.
The Prosecutor’s next step was to amend the charges he had filed against Mr. Brimhall and agree to enter into the plea agreement that is now the subject of uninformed opinions and criticisms further damaging not only Mr. Brimhall’s reputation, but his family as well.
We are just weeks away from an election. People want to Make America Great Again. One of the things that makes America great is the presumption of innocence. One of the things that threaten the fabric of our society is social media and the misinformation and opinions of the uninformed.
The greatest man to ever walk this earth was silent before his accusers. I am proud of Doug for doing the same. But those who know the “rest of the story” seek reconciliation and restoration, not condemnation.”
Paul N. Ford
Law Offices of Paul Ford
Wow! Your really something aren’t you? Still if it were anybody else they would still have a felony. Who would want to go in front of this guy and think you were getting a fair deal? Rules for me, but not for thee. This is so up in your face preferential treatment.
By “uninformed opinions” you are referring to the police-corroborated reports of child abuse? Amid your victim-blaming, let’s not forget the events of May 3rd began with the victim asleep in her bed. She was asleep when your client went into her room drunk. You should be ashamed, as well as held in contempt of court.