Editor,
Having worked professionally with outstanding judges and attorneys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Florida during my career, I fully support that our courts be free of any hint of cronyism and political favoritism. This is not just my view, but is the law of our state and our nation.
A good judge will exhibit calmness, firm control, fairness and a knowlege of the law and court procedure. After reading information submitted by the McBride campaign and others, it became clear that he lacks the temperament, experience and skill of a good judge.
In Chenango County’s high profile murder trial, he lost self control in the court room and made a significant error in court procedure. This resulted in the necessity for a retrial and due to other errors, a third trial. This has given us valuable insight into his temperament and ability.
This was a mistake that might be made by a novice attorney, but not one you would expect from an attorney that has the qualities and experience to be elected a judge. Mr. Cobb in his letter to the editor tries to excuse this as caused by a passion to pursue justice for the victim. This case went on for years. I can’t imagine the pain exerienced by the victim’s young children and family in having to relive her tragic death through three jury trials.
What about the taxpayer? This was an extremely costly mistake, made by a public servant, that should never have happened. It was a personal and public failure for which there is no legitimate excuse.
Thank you Mr. Cobb, Mr. Vitanza and all of Mr. McBride’s co-workers in law enforcement for reminding Chenango County voters exactly why Mr. McBride is the wrong choice and why he should not be elected. We the people deserve better.
Margaret Pires Newell
Norwich