MonacoGate Update

• The Charleston Gazette examines parallels between the bid to recuse Justice Brent Benjamin from the Harman Mining case -- and the successful 1996 quest by his future chief law clerk to win Justice-elect Larry Starcher's disqualification over campaign contributions.

• The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette opines that Benjamin should follow the lead of Chief Justice Elliott "Spike" Maynard: "If justice is not only to be done but also, for the sake of public confidence in the court, to appear to be done, Justice Benjamin should recuse himself as well." The editorial also calls for the withdrawal of Maynard's vote in the Harman reversal, "although it's not clear whether that's possible."
  

• MetroNews Talkline host Hoppy Kercheval questions the need for Benjamin's recusal, while advocating Starcher's.