| More than two dozen of his ex-colleagues from across the USA believe West Virginia's new chief justice Brent Benjamin was wrong to hear a case involving Massey Energy.
The justices say Benjamin created an appearance of impropriety.
The jurists and several other groups have filed briefs supporting an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Benjamin helped overturn a $50 million verdict that had been won by Harman Mining and its president against Massey.
Their pending appeal argues Benjamin should have recused himself because Massey chief executive Don Blankenship spent more than $3 million to help get Benjamin elected.
Benjamin denies any wrongdoing. | 
