Articles of impeachment were introduced against two judges on the University Trial Court at the Senate meeting Wednesday.Sen. Aaron Caffarel, University Center for Freshman Year, introduced legislation to impeach Trial Court Judge Daniel Marsh of the University Trial Court. Sen. Caffarel withdrew the legislation later in the meeting.Sen. Drew Prestridge, College of Arts and Sciences, introduced legislation to impeach University Court Chief Justice Sean Horridge.The impeachment saga began with a student filing a complaint about a referendum on Wednesday’s ballot that revised the SG constitution. The student said the language of the referendum violated SG rules requiring a fair and free election because it would influence voters, Caffarel said.Caffarel accused Marsh — who was assigned to hear the complaint — of being biased. Cafferel said the judge sent an e-mail before the election asking students not to vote in favor of the referendum because it eliminated the Trial Court.Caffarel requested Marsh to recuse himself. Marsh refused, and Caffarel requested the University Court recuse him. Caffarel called for the impeachment of Marsh for violating SG bylaws and rules of court after not recusing himself.Horridge administered the vote for recusal via e-mail after Caffarel requested the recusal. This prompted legislation for the impeachment of Horridge, as Prestridge said a vote via e-mail was a “shady” violation of court rules. Marsh announced his recusal to the Senate and said he felt he was not biased because the complaint pertained to the language in the referendum and not potential results of the referendum. Caffarel then withdrew the articles of impeachment toward Marsh.Horridge defended himself saying he administered the vote via e-mail because of time constraints and denied he broke rules doing so.The impeachment legislation for Horridge will be heard at the Senate meeting next week.A Trial Court hearing Wednesday night ruled the referendum in question invalid because of the language. Caffarel said decision will be appealed. A 550-foot king cake will be created to celebrate the University’s Sesquicentennial. Ifti Rouf, chairman of the Sesquicentennial Student Committee, told the Senate on Wednesday the University wanted to break the world record for largest king cake.Dining Services will bake the cake in the days leading up to LSU Day on April 24 and assemble it in the Cotillian Ballroom, Rouf said. The funds will come from sponsors and donors, Rouf said. Director of Student Involvement Melissa Guidry told the Senate only one student SG members spoke to at the Straight Talk event Wednesday opposing the controversial mandatory class gift fee for graduating seniors.
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Contact Xerxes A. Wilson at [email protected]
Prestridge presents new legislation
March 24, 2010