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Saturday, October 17, 2009

Ind. Courts - More on "Governor Appoints New Madison Circuit Court Judge"

Updating this ILB entry from Oct. 5th, Dave Stafford of the Anderson Herald Bulletin reported Oct. 16th:

ANDERSON­ — Hundreds witnessed history Friday as Rudolph R. Pyle III took the oath as Madison County’s first African-American judge.

After he was sworn in as Madison Circuit Court judge by Gov. Mitch Daniels, Pyle, 39, thanked God and his parents while fighting back tears.

“You say you’re not going to do that,” he said, wiping his eyes as he joined the county’s other robed judges. An overflow crowd packed into commissioners’ court, spilling into the lobby outside.

“I am keenly aware that this is not my seat. I don’t own it, you do,” Pyle said. “I’m willing to serve as long as you’ll have me.”

Daniels, who selected fellow Republican Pyle to replace former Judge Fredrick R. Spencer, noted the historic nature of his choice but also said his choice was clear.

“The man we are about to swear in to this office has multiple qualifications,” Daniels said, noting Pyle’s experience as a deputy prosecutor, state trooper and law clerk at the Indiana Court of Appeals.

“Yes, this is historic; yes, something unprecedented is happening,” Daniels said. “That has nothing to do with this choice. ... We have the best person.

“Indiana expects him to not merely be a competent judge, but to be a great judge,” he said.

Daniels said the selection of a new judge is among the toughest decisions a governor must make. “There’s no place for cronyism,” he said.

But Daniels did acknowledge at least one shared interest. A known motorcycle ethusiast, the governor paused while listing Pyle’s heady achievements.

“Motorcycle instructor,” he said to gales of laughter.

Pyle pledged to focus on 3 Rs from the bench — respect, reliability and results. He led those gathered to chant the mantra and said they were qualities that the county was accustomed to from its judges.

“They have been providing that level of service,” he said.

Pyle acknowledged difficulties facing county residents, including foreclosures and unemployment, but he said there were positive things happening locally, including in the courts.

“With all the stresses that go on,” he said, “there’s still a sense of excitement when you look at what’s happening in the judiciary. ... In the past two weeks, you could sense it walking around the courthouse.” * * *

Pyle also noted that his appointment and Daniels’ previous selection of David Happe to fill a vacancy in Superior Court 4 placed on the bench two judges under age 40.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on October 17, 2009 09:20 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts