US Supreme Court Docket
[Download January 12, 2008 Argument Calendar PDF]
that may be viewed using AdobeReader.
No. 08-22
Title:
Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal Co., 08-22
Subject:
Constitutional Law, Due Process, Judicial Campaign Contributions
Question:
Justice Brent Benjamin of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia refused to
recuse himself from the appeal of the $50 million jury verdict in this case, even
though the CEO of the lead defendant spent $3 million supporting his campaign for
a seat on the court--more than 60% of the total amount spent to support Justice
Benjamin's campaign--while preparing to appeal the verdict against his company.
After winning election to the court, Justice Benjamin cast the deciding vote in the
court's 3-2 decision overturning that verdict. The question presented is whether
Justice Benjamin's failure to recuse himself from participation in his principal
financial supporter's case violated the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth
Amendment.
Decisions:
- Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, Opinion Filed: April 3, 2008
Resources:
- Docket Sheet from the U.S. Supreme Court.
-
Coming Soon
For Petitioner:
For Respondent:Theodore B. Olson
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Washington, DC
Andrew L. Frey
Mayer Brown, LLP
New York, NY
To view PDF files listed on this page you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader
