JUSTICE STARCHER RECUSES SELF FROM MASSEY CASE

(02/16/2008)

By Bob Weaver State Supreme Court Justice Larry Starcher announced yesterday that he will recuse himself from the case involving Harman Mining and Massey Coal. Starcher has long been a critic of what he considers unethical relationships between two of his fellow justices with Don Blankenship, CEO of Massey Coal. Starcher says he is stepping aside because of those comments, "hoping that Justice [Brent] Benjamin does the same, so we can end the public controversy about the case and restore confidence in our court by having five totally impartial justices hear the appeal." The WV Supreme Court, Don Blankenship and Massey Energy is being used for characters in John Grisham's latest fictional novel about corruption. Justice Spike Maynard, who was photographed with Blankenship in Monaco during a time a critical Massey case was under advisement, decided to recuse himself after the photos called into question his personal relationship with Blankenship. Justice Benjamin was the recipient of about $3 million dollars, which helped him be elected to the high court. A WV Court ruled that Massey took advantage of Harman Mining, but the Supreme Court then reversed the $76.3 million decision. Now, the case is being returned to the high court again. Another Massey case involving a WV steel company which has been ruled as wrong-doing is also headed to the high court. The court has agreed to reconsider their decision on March 12.

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