FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — A Franklin County Circuit Court judge ordered on Tuesday that the articles of impeachment for Judge Julie Goodman can be debated in the Senate, although they failed to charge her with a specific crime.
An order filed on Tuesday, March 31, shows that House Resolution 124, outlining articles of impeachment against Judge Goodman on the grounds of alleged abuses of “both judicial discretion and authority” in six different cases, invaded the prerogative of the Supreme Court.
RELATED:
- Kentucky judge faces impeachment call over alleged bias
- Fayette County judge’s job in jeopardy amid push for impeachment
- Articles of impeachment against Fayette Circuit judge advance after House approval
“Allegations based on judicial decision-making, within the scope of the Judge’s duties, are outside the scope of impeachment,” Judge Phillip J. Shepherd of the Franklin Circuit Court wrote in Tuesday’s order. “Any other interpretation would vitiate the provisions of § 121 and violate the separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution.”
‘Troubling’ facts surround call for impeachment
According to the 20-page order filed on Tuesday, the House-drafted articles of impeachment didn’t actually charge Judge Goodman with any crimes. However, officials called the facts around the petition “troubling.”
“The impeachment petition was apparently submitted by Killian Timoney, a partisan political candidate who is currently a candidate for election as the nominee of the majority party in the House of Representatives in a competitive district composed of Jessamine and parts of Fayette County,” Judge Shepherd wrote…