Department 19 – 2020 General Election

  • Law

With ballots set to start arriving in mailboxes next week, it’s time to talk about the contested judicial races featured on that ballot. We welcome your comments on the qualifications of the candidates as well as any information you can offer to help voters make an educated decision. Just remember to keep your comments appropriate and try to avoid defamation.

For District Court Judge, Department 19, the candidates are:

  • Eller, Crystal
  • Kephart, William “Bill”

What are your thoughts on the race in this department? 

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Anonymous
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Anonymous
September 30, 2020 3:22 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTWwTXE4XLs

This is the first time, that I am aware of, that William "Bill" Kephart has tried to explain, in any detail, the Fred Steese/suppressed evidence incident. Interesting that he chose a forum that almost nobody will ever see.

Thoughts?

Anonymous
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Anonymous
September 30, 2020 7:23 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

Amazing. He blamed the defense attorneys and the postconviction judge. No reflection, no remorse, no heart.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
September 30, 2020 7:45 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

Bill is a doggone good judge. This whole thing has been overblown by a bunch of people that have no experience as prosecutors and who don't understand what really happened. I'm sick of hearing about it!

Anonymous
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Anonymous
October 1, 2020 7:36 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

What I find troubling is that this organization condemns Herndon for hiding evidence in the Steese case but Kephart does it and its perfectly fine? How can this organization's endorsement be trusted with this clear contradiction? It's the same effing case. At least Herndon apologized. Kephart has just doubled down on his bad behavior.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
September 30, 2020 8:28 pm

Judge K has always generated real partisan feelings–he has some fervent supporters, while many want him drawn and quartered.

Many judges don't generate much of an a strong opinion one way or the other when you ask attorneys. But, when it comes to this judge, indifference is almost never found.

But, I for one, am in the minority as I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other as to his performance. I view him as at least mediocre or better. Many will ask whether we should accept mediocrity on the bench, and can't we do better.

But as jaded as I have become, I would say yes we can accept mediocrity on the bench because when you instead spin that roulette wheel you often wind up with someone worse.

But I'm discussing performance on the bench. There will be people(like me) who will agree that perhaps we can accept mediocrity on the bench if Ms. Eller is not clearly some significant upgrade, but that such weighing and balancing goes out the window once we consider the Steese matter.

The Steese matter will NOT affect, or change the view and support, of either his fervent supporters or his harshest critics.

But there are some people like me, who find his performance on the bench within acceptable range, but then need to ask themselves if they are still going to lend their boarder line support once the Steese matter is considered.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
September 30, 2020 11:03 pm

I am going with the lesser of two evils, just like the presidential election. Eller.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
October 1, 2020 1:05 am

I like the cowgirl candidate. Eller should win.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
October 1, 2020 7:21 pm

The problem with Kephart is that it is not just the Steese case and all of the past judicial missteps that make him a lousy judge. He is consistently showing he doesn't have the temperament. Crystal Eller has my vote. She is impartial and has a solid foundation in law. There may be some growing pains with her, but in the long run we will be better off with Eller on the bench.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
October 8, 2020 3:50 pm

Crystal Eller is now a defendant in a 52 page fraud complaint. Case No. A-20-822640-C.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
October 8, 2020 4:53 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

That's awfully convenient timing. Wild Bill Kephart must be worried that his antics are catching up with him.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
October 9, 2020 6:31 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

Not a timing issue and has nothing to do w Kephart. If you read the complaint – 52 pp and 525 pages of exhibits it is very compelling. This fraud was reported to AG. There is over 27 victims – 11 of whom are plaintiffs in complaint. They are elderly and financially burdened and live out of state. The gathering of documents and information was taking place well before Crystal Eller filed to run for Judge. Not only is the Complaint alleging elderly fraud and Mortgage fraud – Eller practiced law in states she was not even licensed in.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
October 14, 2020 8:43 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

11:31 you are stupid or just naive?