Starcher refuses to recuse himself

From an upcoming Massey case. He's been very critical and outspoken on the issue of Don Blankenship.

He will step aside, he says. if The 3.5 Million Dollar Man does.

From the Gazette:

"I will step aside following the very moment that [Benjamin] does so, should he make that decision," Starcher wrote.

Starcher noted Massey CEO Don Blankenship spent or raised more than $3.5 million for Benjamin's 2004 election and Benjamin has since refused to recuse himself from hearing the company's litigation.

Starcher recused himself from an earlier case when Blankenship's vacation buddy, "Spike" Maynard did, but Benjamin refused to go.


The ruling turned out in Massey's favor. (Surprise!)

It's pretty sad when one justice's lack of even minimal ethics leads other members of the court to have to employ these kinds of strategies with recusals.