Opinion
No. 97-C-1834
September 8, 2003
ORDER
On September 2, 2003, counsel for petitioner filed a motion requesting that this Court recuse itself from this case. In that motion, counsel stated, "Upon information and belief, Petitioner avers that the members of the Office of the District Attorney General for Davidson County, including most notably Mr. Thurman, provided both vocal and financial support for Judge Blackburn's election campaign."
Prior to, during, and following its campaign, the Court meticulously complied with all applicable ethical rules. Although the Court's campaign treasurer and the Davidson County Election Commission possess information regarding persons who financially supported the campaign, that information was not, and never will be, conveyed to the Court. The Court has gone to great lengths to avoid any appearance of impropriety in that regard, and the Court will continue to do so in the future. Therefore, the Court orders both parties to refrain from providing the Court with any information regarding any person's support, or lack thereof, of this Court's campaign in any future pleadings. If either party wishes to make an argument or submit documentary evidence on that issue, it must file that information under seal. In the event the Court grants counsel's request for a hearing, any proof regarding that matter will be submitted to a Court other than this Court.
ENTERED this the ___ day of September, 2003.