Update: Carcieri taps Suttell as R.I.'s next chief justice
5:46 PM Thu, May 28, 2009 | Permalink
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Carcieri nominated Supreme Court Justice Paul A. Suttell Thursday to be the next chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. The nomination requires the confirmation of the state House of Representatives and the state Senate. If confirmed, Justice Suttell will fill the vacancy that was created by the retirement of Chief Justice Frank Williams. With leaders in both chambers of the General Assembly praising his nomination, Suttell is not expected to have any problem winning confirmation.  R.I. Chief Justice-designate Paul A. Suttell "Justice Suttell brings a wealth of judicial and scholarly experience to the position of Chief Justice," Governor Carcieri said Thursday. "He has served the public with the highest honor and distinction, first as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives and later as a Family Court Judge and Supreme Court Justice. He is a dedicated and conscientious jurist, whose understanding of the law and ability to lead will serve him well as Chief Justice." "I am humbled by the confidence that the governor has shown in me with his decision, particularly in light of the extraordinary quality of candidates he had to choose from," Suttell said in a Rhode Island Judiciary news release late this afternoon. "All of the justices on the Supreme Court applied for the job, and we all knew that no matter who received the appointment we would all continue to work together in the collegial manner that has been characteristic of this court," Suttell said. If confirmed to the lifetime post, Suttell, 60, would earn a base annual salary of $167,644 and oversee the state judiciary's $85-million budget, approximately 700 employees and six courts. Acting Chief Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg said this afternoon, according to the news release, that she had congratulated Chief Justice-designate Suttell, and that "Rhode Island will be well-served by his appointment." Prior to being named to the Rhode Island Supreme Court in July 2003, Suttell served as an associate justice on the Rhode Island Family Court, from July 1990, and served as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 1983 to 1990, representing Little Compton. Suttell started his legal career as a practicing attorney at the law offices of Beals & DiFiore and Crowe, Chester & Adams, and was legal counsel to the Rhode Island House Minority Leader. Suttell's nomination now must go before the state House and Senate for confirmation. None were more enthused than House Minority Leader Robert Watson, R-East Greenwich, who said of his former GOP colleague: "It's always a great idea to reach into the talent pool of former Republican House members to p ick the chief judge. An excellent pick, an excellenet gentleman, and excellent jurist.'' Watson said Carcieri "could not have made a mistake given the strong candidates who were on his desk'' but "I do think Paul is going to be a wonderful chief judge... and I look forward to supporting Paul.'' While noting the Senate's intent to vet the nomination through the traditional advice-and-consent process, Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, D-Newport, said: "Paul Suttell is a well-respected jurist.... Having had the opportunity to practice in the Family Court, I believe that Paul Suttell, regardless of previous party affiliations, has served the state well, both as a member of the Family Court and in his capacity in the Supreme Court.'' Similarly, House Speaker William J. Murphy, D-West Warwick, called Suttell "a gentleman,'' and "very distinguished member of the Family Court [who has] done an admirable job in his time on the Supreme Court, and he was up here from 1983-90, so he has earned much respect in the House of Representatives.'' Added Senate Judiciary Chairman Michael McCaffey, who will likely preside over the Senate confirmation hearing: "I am sure Paul is going to make it through the Senate with no problem.'' Asked whether Carcieri's choice of a former Republican for the top spot signals to him the next opening on the high court would go to a Democrat, House Majority Leader Gordon Fox, D-Providence, quipped "I am not a candidate for that position'' and then, more seriously said: "I would always urge the governor to put a good Democrat on the Supreme Court, so obviously...I would like to see that.'' In April, Suttell was among five sitting judges the Judicial Nominating Commission chose to recommend to Governor Carcieri for consideration to be the next chief justice of the state's high court. The governor had lengthy meetings with each candidate and reviewed their bodies of work, references and curriculum vitaes, said Amy Kempe, Carcieri's spokeswoman. "It was a comprehensive, very thoughtful and conscientious evaluation," she said. The governor complimented each of the candidates as exemplary jurists in making his announcement. -- with reports from Katherine Gregg, Journal State House Bureau The Providence Journal has been following this story as it develops. Our initial report was published at 3:38 p.m. and updated at 5:39 p.m. 
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Maureen McKenna-Goldberg got her just desserts. Yes... There is a God. Suttell was the best choice.
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So much for Judge Stern I guess.
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It should have been Justice Robinson. He is a gentleman and a scholar. An all-around great hume.
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Poor Choice. Judge Marueen McKenna Goldberg has more experience then any of them! Way to go Carcieri.
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Another Republican
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McKenna-Goldberg got what she deserved, I agree, there is a GOD!
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Suttell? The Governor’s totally lost it!
Experience? "Suttell served as an associate justice on the Rhode Island Family Court, from July 1990, and served as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 1983 to 1990."
Someone who knew him when he was a Rep noted that he could just about find his way to the men's Room!
Another political hack! I have personally witnessed Suttell in action. No ethics or integrity. He will vote as he thinks the General Assembly, read those that control the Judiciary's purse strings", want him to vote. His Court will be no different than his predecessor Frank Williams. Lacking any notion of "Justice" and deign to uphold the Law. The Court will continue to find ways to let those in power find a "legal" remedy to absolve them of any responsibility for their actions while slamming the average Rhode Islander.
Obviously the only issues that mattered to the Governor were: 1) to find a plausible GOP candidate and 2) make sure he didn't select McKenna-Goldberg! At least he relegated her to the dustbin! Usually getting one out of two right would be acceptable but in this case, the Governor still fails the Intelligence Test!
We’re screwed!
We get the Government We Deserve!
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Excellent choice. Now only if Justice Goldberg would retire!!! She must be fuming!
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Judge Suttell will serve Rhode Island well. He's an excellent jurist, gentleman, and attorney. I wish him many productive years as Chief Judge. And many thanks to Justice Goldberg who stepped in as Acting Chief Justice. She served admirably and with dignity.
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He has no administrative experience, and unlike Judge Flaherty has never administered a large budget.
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Ron...get with the program. Don't be an idiot! Stern was not going for that position.
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One of the most even tempered Judges I have ever appeared before! And I am a Democrat!
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