Mayo et al v. Krogstel et al

Filing 4

ORDER of Recusal. Clerk of court is directed to randomly draw another district judge to be assigned to this case. Signed by Judge Robert E. Blackburn on 6/28/06. (gms, )

Mayo et al v. Krogstel et al

Doc. 4

Case 1:06-cv-01236-MSK

Document 4

Filed 06/28/2006

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO Case No. 06-cv-01236-REB ADAM MAYO, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, W ILLIAM RANDELL, III, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, Plaintiffs, v. UNITED STATES FOREST OFFICER FNU KROGSTEL, in his official capacity; UNITED STATES FOREST OFFICER FNU LAMPE, in his official capacity; UNITED STATES FOREST OFFICER FNU BARTON, in his official capacity; UNITED STATES FOREST OFFICER FNU FREUND, shield #1662, in his official capaci ty; JOHN AND JANE DOE UNKNOWN MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE, in their official capacities, JOHN AND JANE DOE UNKNOWN MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES MARSHALL SERVICE, in their official capacities, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE DAVID WEST, in his official capacity, Defendants.

ORDER OF RECUSAL Blackburn, J. This matter is before me on the court' own motion. For the reasons discussed s below, I conclude that I must recuse myself from this case. As a general rule, recusal is required when "a reasonable person armed with the relevant facts would harbor doubts about the judge's impartiality." Maez v. Mountain States Tel. & Tel., Inc., 54 F.3d 1488, 1508 (10th Cir.1995). 28 U.S.C. § 455 requires recusal when such circumstances arise. Hinman v. Rogers, 831 F.2d 937, 939 - 40 (10th Cir.1987). Stated differently, § 455 requires a judge to recuse himself from a case when his participation in the case creates an appearance of impropriety. U.S. v.

Dockets.Justia.com

Case 1:06-cv-01236-MSK

Document 4

Filed 06/28/2006

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Pearson, 203 F.3d 1243, 1264 (10th Cir. 2000) (citation omitted). However, a " dge ju should not recuse himself on unsupported, irrational, or highly tenuous speculation." Hinman, 831 F.2d at 939 - 40 (citation omitted). I find that my participation in this case may create an appearance of impropriety. Therefore, I conclude that I should recuse myself from this case in an effort to avoid any appearance of impropriety. THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED as follows: 1) That under 28 U.S.C. § 455(a), I RECUSE myself from this case; and 2) That the Clerk of the Court is directed to randomly draw another district judge to be assigned to this case. Dated June 28, 2006, at Denver, Colorado. BY THE COURT: s/ Robert E. Blackburn Robert E. Blackburn United States District Judge

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