The Legacy Marches On ...

Years after The Great One's removal, the curse of Department 23 continues.

LV Now is reporting that Liz's former bailiff, Johnnie "Rub My Feet" Jordan, was arrested early Sunday morning and booked into the North Las Vegas Detention Center.

Jordan was charged with two counts of lewdness with a minor under the age of 16 and two counts of sexual assault. His alleged victim is a 14-year-old girl.

Liz herself was kind enough to emerge and comment on the LV Now story ... at least we're pretty sure it's her.

(LV Now)

Welcome Back, Friend

Oh Liz, how we've missed you!

In what hopefully closes out the final chapter in this embarrassment of a story, the RJ is reporting that Halverson's former JEA, Ileen Spoor, won a $50,000 judgment on Tuesday in the defamation case she filed against the calorically-challenged former judge.

Halverson has been representing herself since January after two law firms she hired were allowed to withdraw as counsel because they weren't being paid. Her most recent action was to file a Notice of Appeal ... prior to the entry of judgment. We know ... shocking that she isn't familiar with procedural court rules.

The RJ reports that it is "unclear whether Halverson will pay the award." We'd love to see Spoor slap a lien on that souped-up scooter.

(LVRJ; Above The Law)

But Things Were Going So Well ...

Someone by the name of Elizabeth Halverson (Get this: she claims to be a former judge ... can you imagine anyone actually voting for that lady?!) just lost a defamation suit brought by her former assistant, Ileen Spoor. From the LVRJ:

Spoor sued Halverson in 2007 for defamation and placing someone in false light, alleging that the judge lied about her to the media by saying Spoor illegally fixed tickets and took Spoor’s Rolodex and files.

A jury trial was scheduled for late October, but Judge David Wall granted summary judgment in favor Spoor on Thursday.

Wait ... summary judgment? Well, look at the big balls on Wall! Good for you, Judge. We thought summary judgment was just one of those law school myths, like the Rules of Professional Conduct.

As for damages, they are still being "calculated." Good luck Ileen, can't imagine she's got a whole lot in the bank. Of course, you could always try to garnish her lunch money.

Nice of you to visit, Liz, now please go away.

(LVRJ)

Evil Ed Gets 3-10 Years

Elizabeth Halverson has finally won one in court, but not without leaving a few quotable statements on the record. Let's start with Ed, from SFGate:

Before he was sentenced, Edward Lee Halverson, 49, stunned a Las Vegas courtroom with a claim that he struck Elizabeth Halverson at their home Sept. 4 because his wife, who must use a scooter to get around, threatened to stab him.

"If she wouldn't have pulled a knife on me and threatened me, I wouldn't have clocked her," [Ed] Halverson said. "I defended myself."

"Clock?" Classy, Ed. We're not real current on our affirmative defenses, but we're pretty sure that it would be difficult to claim you were in imminent danger because Liz was chasing you with a knife. It would play out like the world's slowest joust.

Ironically, Liz was appearing in the same courtroom where she used to practice as a Judge (you know, the one with the reinforced stand), and she couldn't leave the courtroom without tasting her foot a little, from KVBC:

"With everything that happened, what I had left was my brain and my ability to go back and work as an attorney and produce stuff. And with this brain injury, I can't go back and do that right now."

Yeah, we're sure potential clients were lining up outside Liz's door. After all, in addition to her

disgraced dismissal from the bench, she has 9 cool years of clerking experience to offer. 

Hopefully, this is the last we will see of either of them, but we doubt it. Liz let everyone outside the courtroom know that she was appealing the Nov. 17 order by the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline that permanently barred her from the bench. See you soon, darling.

(KVBC, SFGate, ATL, Thanks MB!)

About those Judicial Elections ...

We previously posted about the Clark County election results, but neglected to comment about what may be the biggest upset to come out of this election: Judge Jessie Walsh remains on the bench.

Now, let's not get off on a Halverson rant here, Judge Walsh is not (and will never be) as bad as "the great one." However, the fact remains that Judge Walsh was the only judge to score below a 50% retention rating in the Judging the Judges poll (available here as a PDF) and survive the election.

(To be fair, Judge The Hut was, shall we say, indisposed, and Judge Gates didn't bother to run.)

However, common wisdom seems to be that the Judging the Judges poll is what governs the general public's opinion of our judiciary. With no party affiliation listed on the ballot, how else is the general public deciding whether to retain (or replace) these individuals? How is it that an incumbent Judge so poorly rated as Walsh is able to maintain her seat on the bench? Is it because it was easier to draw a mustache and horns on Bill Kephart's signs? Here's a theory:

Anything the public heard concerning judges this election year was focused on one person: Liz Halverson. The bar for judicial ineptness has officially been raised. Short of being an absolute unbearable tyrant in the courtroom, the public now thinks: "Meh, how bad can she be? At least she's not like that fat lady."

All the incumbent judges who retained their seats in this election should send Halverson a big box of Krispy Kremes in gratitude. Without her, the public may have been a bit more critical of our currently-seated judicial jockeys. Or, maybe, Walsh just isn't that bad of a Judge. We're interested to hear your take on what happened, sound off in the comments.

Of Course She is

Judge Halverson is appealing her permanent removal from the bench (decision removing her available here).

The RJ reports:

Former District Judge Elizabeth Halverson will appeal the Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission's decision to permanently remove her from the bench, her attorney said today. Attorney Michael Schwartz said he will file the appeal within 15 days.

He said Halverson wasn't surprised when she learned Monday that the commission would remove her from the bench.

I was surprised anyone would ever try to move Halverson anywhere.  Seems physically impossible.

So long, so long

I said, so long, it's been good to know ya Judge Halverson [but not really]

The RJ reports:

The Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission has removed suspended District Judge Elizabeth Halverson from the bench and prohibited her from ever serving as a judge in the state again.

In a strongly worded decision released today, the commission stated that her "antics and willful misconduct will be felt by the judicial system for a significant future period of time." 

In its decision, the commission stated that Halverson made significant legal errors while conducting her first jury trials that resulted in "significant costs to taxpayers" because her mistakes will likely result in at least one new trial.

The commission ruled that Halverson fell asleep on the bench, improperly communicated with jurors, mistreated staff and made false statements to the commission.

It also accused Halverson of refusing to cooperate with the Judicial Discipline Commission and demeaning the August hearings.

My office is currently having a debate.  The topic: who's been more embarrassing for Nevada,  Judge Halverson or Governor Gibbons?  Discuss amongst yourselves. 

Halverson legacy?!?

Ah, absence makes the heart grow fonder.  Judge Halverson hasn't been off our radar for more than a week and the media is framing her legacy.

The Review-Journal editorial reads:

A hearty "thank you" must go out to the single individual who has done the most to improve the Nevada judiciary: Elizabeth Halverson.

It's true. The arguably worst judge in Nevada, who has brought national embarrassment to the state, has been a positive influence on the selection of Nevada judges by making newspapers and voters pay closer attention to down-ballot judicial races.

Finally, Halverson deserves the legacy she deserves: she reminded voters that apparently it matters who sits on the bench.  So voting blindly can lead to dark, dark places.  So let's rally the voters this year, get them to the polls and remind them not to "pull a Halverson" by actually researching the candidates before they vote. 

Evil Ed pleads to being evil or at least that there's sufficient evidence of his evilness

Judge Halverson should be feeling a little safer today [with the exception of constant health concerns due to severe overeating and lack of self-restraint] because Evil Ed has officially been pronounced evil . . . or at least that there's enough evidence to prove his evilness.

The RJ reports:

The husband of embattled District Judge Elizabeth Halverson pleaded guilty in court this morning.  Edward Halverson, 49, entered into an Alford plea to one count of battery with a deadly weapon with substantial bodily harm.  

In exchange for his plea, prosecutors agreed to drop a charge of attempted murder. An Alford plea means he doesn't admit to being guilty but understands there is enough evidence to convict him.

Edward Halverson told District Judge David Barker this morning that he didn't recall the incident. He'll likely be sentenced to 3 to 10 years in prison.

"He knows he's going to jail," said Bita Khamsi, the deputy public defender who represents Edward Halverson . . . 

He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 12. 

So that's it.  Judge Halverson was rejected by the voters, Evil Ed's off the scene for awhile.  She's gonna have to work to get back into the spotlight and make sure she's still the poster child for what's wrong with the Nevada bar/judiciary.  

Maybe she could start her own practice and have tv commercials: "Are you a wreck? Need a check?Hire Elizabeth Halverson.  You'll look better in front of the jury by comparison."

Midweek Roundup

Newsflash: "Judge Halverson made mistakes"  (RJ)

Meanwhile the attorneys for Endoscopy are busy arguing that they need to know how many people the 80 year old patients of Endoscopy have slept with.  (RJ)

Congratulations to Matthew Treu, who was named an associate at Bailey Kennedy.  (RJ)

Evil Ed pleads not guilty

Evil Ed plead not guilty to attempted murder charges this morning.

The RJ reports:

Edward Halverson, husband of embattled District Judge Elizabeth Halverson, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges this morning in District Court.
Halverson, 49, was indicted last week on charges of attempting to murder his wife.

Authorities said he struck Elizabeth Halverson in the head with a cast iron skillet during a fight at the couples' home.

Elizabeth Halverson spent more than two weeks in the hospital and had more than 100 staples inserted into her head to help heal deep cuts.

Edward Halverson is scheduled to go to trial on Dec. 1.

Too bad Judge Halverson's probably pissed at Evil Ed. Otherwise, she might be able to help him come up with an innovative legal defense, like the ones she used when trying not to get thrown off the bench permanently.

Hey, maybe he could argue that prosecuting him for attempted murder is a violation of the Americans with Disability Act because dealing with Judge Halverson day in and day out made him mentally and emotionally disabled. Hmm . . . might be safer to plead insanity based on the inability to understand his actions. I mean, he did actually marry Judge Halverson. Something's wrong there.

"Evil Ed" Indicted!

Judge Halverson showed up at court this morning to testify against her [alleged] abusive husband, "Evil Ed". The press reports were fairly sympathetic as she appeared to be pretty banged up. Later in the afternoon, the grand jury handed down its indictment.

The Review-Journal reports:

A grand jury issued a criminal indictment today against 49-year-old Edward ["Evil Ed"] Halverson, charging him with one count of attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon and one count of battery constituting domestic violence with use of a deadly weapon resulting in substantial bodily harm.

["Evil Ed"] is accused of beating his wife, District Court Judge Elizabeth Halverson, with a frying pan on Sept. 4. He is in jail on $113,000 bail and is scheduled to enter a plea on Oct. 1

Say it ain't so!?! Will these star-crossed lovers have to part simply due to "Evil Ed"'s attempt to kill Halverson. I'm depressed. I thought it was a match made in heaven.

Weekend Roundup

Senior District Judge Charles McGee is in the ethical spotlight again with a potential conflict of interest, after he ruled on the property tax ballot issue on behalf of the schools and his wife was apparently a former school employee. (Review-Journal)

Judge Halverson is out of the hospital and soon to testify against her husband "Evil Ed" Halverson. (Review-Journal)

Congratulations to Linda Norcross, who was hired as an associate in the Las Vegas office of Lewis and Roca. (Review-Journal)

Meanwhile, the doctor caught with a crack pipe outside of the O.J. trial has surprisingly lost his job. (Review-Journal)

What the f**k goes on in the Halverson household (nevermind, don't want to know)

The Halverson attack/attempted murder/beating with a frying pan/whatever the hell happened is beginning to sound more and more like an episode of COPS filmed live in a trailer park.

The 911 call tapes have been released and some f'd up sh*t is going down in that house. The tapes have Judge Halverson calmly asking her husband to clean up and get some ice while she is on the phone with the 911 dispatcher. (audio of 911 call available here)

Here are the highlights from the Review-Journal:

The judge dials 911 and is heard talking to her husband. "You might want to clean the floor, too," the judge said calmly.

"Yes, dear," her husband responded matter-of-factly.

"Are you going to help me? Because I'm bleeding a lot from my head," she said. Elizabeth Halverson then directed her husband to get some ice. When he left the room, she finally spoke to the dispatcher.

"Please, help. Please, help me now," she whispered in a panic. "He's beating me with a frying pan."

Evil Ed is overheard showing his gentle side when Halverson complains that she can't see out of her right eye. "Awww man, it's terrible. Ooooh," her husband said, after apparently looking at her eye. Finally, shortly before police arrived, Halverson becomes more with Evil Ed:

"Why did you kill me?" she asked. "Well, you murdered me. Why did you do that?"

What was the incident that provoked the argument that led to the fight? Get ready for this . . . seriously:

Judge Halverson's friend said the judge could not navigate the home on her
scooter because her husband blocked rooms with boxes.

C'mon. I'd like to have some human decency about this situation, but wtf? Calmly telling Evil Ed to clean up and get her some ice? And . . . [giggle] . . . seriously? Evil Ed was preventing her from getting around the house by blocking off rooms with boxes? Were the COPS cameras filming during this entire scene?

Bail set for Evil Ed: Halverson update

Chief Judge Douglas Smith hosted the bail hearing of Judge Halverson's husband, "Evil Ed", today and set bail at $113k.

The Las Vegas Sun reports:

Edward Lee Halverson, 49, wasn't released from jail and a judge set bail at $113,000 today on domestic violence-related charges after he allegedly beat his wife, Judge Elizabeth Halverson, with a frying pan last week.

Edward Halverson will have a public defender appointed. He asked to be released to his cousin, Scott Lewedag, who lives in Las Vegas, but the judge refused based on his prior felony record, including felon in possession of a gun. Smith also banned Halverson from going closer than half a mile from his wife, who has 100 staples closing her wounds.

He has been charged with attempted murder, battery with substantial bodily harm and battery with a deadly weapon, Metro Police said.

Thank god his release was denied. The streets of Vegas are safe from the frying pan attacks of Evil Ed, at least for now.

Halverson update: more on the acts of Evil Ed

UPDATE: Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Karen Bennett-Haron declined to hear the District Judge Elizabeth Halverson beating case today, citing a possible conflict of interest from when Halverson went insane trying to keep her seat on the bench and subpoenaed several Clark County Judges. (Review-Journal)

More gory details from the Halverson [trailer park] incident:

According to Las Vegas Now:

Police say when they were called to the home, Edward "Evil Ed" Halverson [pictured right] met them at the door wearing only shorts that were covered with blood. [police report available here]

His 50-year-old wife was found in a rear bedroom of her Las Vegas home. "They observed Halverson was bleeding profusely from the head with large gaping wounds in her head, having severe head trauma," according to the report. She told police that her husband had beaten her and tried to kill her.

Meanwhile, the police also reported that the first officers on the scene "discovered an empty bottle of bleach in a master bedroom trash can." (Review-Journal) The police report includes Judge Halverson's statement to officers that Evil Ed "was using the bleach to clean up all the blood that was splattered in the bedroom from him striking and beating her".

Evil Ed was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on charges of attempted murder, battery with substantial bodily harm and battery with a deadly weapon and is scheduled to appear before Justice of the Peace Karen Bennett-Haron at 8 a.m. today.

Halverson update

Judge Halverson is still at the hospital but doing better according to a friend. She underwent surgery for skull fractures [allegedly] cause by her husband "Evil Ed" striking her with a frying pan. (Review-Journal) Reportedly the judge's head is bandaged and she can't see from the swelling. (Review-Journal)

In honor of Halverson managing to get herself back into the spotlight, Las Vegas Now has put together a timeline on the "Strange Saga of Judge Halverson" (complete with video!). (Las Vegas Now)

We here at WWL thought it was appropriate to refrain from mean or bitchy comments due to the seriousness of the injuries. Then, with profound relief, we realized that Halverson's ability to stay in the spotlight with increasing levels of white-trash antics produces its own humor and we don't really have to comment for it to be funny.

Halverson to Hospital from Domestic Abuse

If you haven't read it by now, suspended Judge Elizabeth Halverson is in the hospital after she was assaulted by her husband. Her injuries are not life threatening.

The Review-Journal reports:

Police were called to her house late last night to respond to a domestic
violence call. Police said her husband, Edward Halverson, 49, hit her with a frying pan.

Edward "Evil Ed" Halverson was booked into the county jail on one attempted murder count, one count battery with substantial bodily harm and one count battery with a deadly weapon.

Wow. Maybe Halverson's baliff really should have accepted the judge's request that he kill her husband . What a bastard. He hit her with a frying pan. That's cruel. It's not as if she's agile and could get out of the way.

And the fun was over

The Halverson hearing has ended. It wound down on Friday with testimony from former Halverson supervisor and former District Judge Don Chairez, who stated that Halverson was an excellent lawyer who worked to raise standards of legal work in the community. (Las Vegas Now). Both sides will file written closing arguments with the Commission. (Review-Journal)

But rather than go out with a whimper, Judge Halverson managed to create controversy again on Friday when she claimed that she had subpoenaed eight District Court Judges to be witnesses and all failed to show. (Review-Journal) The attorney for the Clark County courts, Jillian Prieto, appeared and stated Halverson failed to give proper notice and was lying to the Commission.

Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Sun has attempted to add up the cost of giving Judge Halverson her due process and came up with a figure of $200,000. (Las Vegas Sun)

Because you loved his testimony in print--video of Bailiff Testifying at Halverson Hearing

Why doesn't President Bush do something about her!