Opinion
Cause Nos. 49S00-0804-JD-156, 49S00-0804-JD-157.
June 18, 2008.
ORDER CONSOLIDATING CASES AND APPOINTING MASTERS
Pending before the Court are judicial discipline complaints filed by the Indiana Judicial Qualifications Commission ("the Commission") against Judge Grant W. Hawkins (49S00-0804-JD-157) and Commissioner Nancy L. Broyles (49S00-0804-JD-156), respectively, of the Marion Superior Court. The Commission has asked the Court to consolidate these two matters in the interests of judicial economy, asserting the matters arise from the same set of circumstances and, with few exceptions, are identical. Counsel for the Respondents have indicated they have no objection to the requested consolidation.Having considered the Commission's motion and being duly advised, the Court GRANTS the Commission's motion. The Clerk of this Court is instructed to consolidate these matters into cause number 49S00-0804-JD-157, and make an appropriate entry on the docket of cause number 49S00-0804-JD-156 so indicating.
In addition, pursuant to Adm. Disc. R. 25 (VIII)(I), the Court APPOINTS the following masters to hear and take evidence concerning the charges filed in this consolidated matter:
The Honorable Marianne L. Vorhees, Judge, Delaware Circuit Court;
The Honorable Clarence D. Murray, Judge, Lake Superior Court; and
The Honorable Terry C. Shewmaker, Judge, Elkhart Circuit Court.
Judge Vorhees is designated to serve as the presiding master.
Within thirty (30) days of the date of this order, the masters shall submit a schedule that anticipates a hearing completion date within the time frame required by Adm. Disc. R. 25(VIII)(I) and the report of hearing deadline required by Adm. Disc. R. 25(VIII)(N). Given the deadlines listed in Rule 25, the schedule submitted by the masters should result in submission of the masters' report of hearing during the first week of November 2008. The schedule shall be sent to the Supreme Court Administrator, who will have it filed with the Clerk.
The Clerk is directed to send copies of this order to the three appointed masters; to Judge Grant Hawkins and his counsel; to Judge Nancy Broyles and her counsel; to Meg W. Babcock, Counsel for the Commission on Judicial Qualifications; and to the Supreme Court Administrator.