6:00: Morning News

Attorney for Randolph County judge says she should keep her job

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Supreme Court will ultimately decide what punishments — if any — Randolph County Circuit Judge Jaymie Wilfong will face for admittedly having a two-year affair, between 2011 and 2013, with a man who served as director of the North Central Community Corrections (NCCC) and made multiple appearances in her court.

One of Wilfong’s attorneys, Harry Deitzler, said Wilfong has admitted she made a mistake.

“She’s a genuinely good person and a good judge and I do question whether it is a situation of morality police versus objectivity but, on the other hand, I fully appreciate that there is an appearance of impropriety that has to be addressed,” Deitzler said.

The Judicial Investigation Commission has, this week, found Wilfong violated the Judicial Code of Conduct by carrying on a sexual relationship, in her chambers at times, with Travis Carter who worked with the judge, in his role with North Central Community Corrections, to decide which defendants were candidates for alternative sentencing.

Wilfong reported the affair herself.

Two charges have since been forwarded to the state Judicial Hearing Board for consideration.  A recommendation will be made to the state Supreme Court.  The Court could decide to take no action, reprimand Wilfong in any number of ways, opt to suspend her for the remainder of her term or pull her law license.

Deitzler said he does not think Wilfong should lose her job.  “I don’t think it rises the level of the offenses that I have seen for which judges have been rightfully removed,” he said on Thursday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”

Wilfong was elected to the 20th Judicial Circuit, serving Randolph County, in 2008.  She is the only judge in that circuit.





More News

News
PSC approves settlements involving Mon Power, net-metering cases
Rate increase went into effect Tuesday.
March 27, 2024 - 9:42 pm
News
Speakers at Focus Forward symposium discuss AI capabilities in West Virginia
The event was organized by the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.
March 27, 2024 - 8:30 pm
News
Justice vetoes vaccination exemption bill, draws praise from healthcare groups
Educational and healthcare organizations banded together to urge a veto.
March 27, 2024 - 6:35 pm
News
Testimony wraps up in attempt to remove 2 Jefferson County commissioners from office
Three-judge panel hears 2 days of testimony.
March 27, 2024 - 5:11 pm


Your Comments