Will the JQC be coming back to town? (2.26.10)

Repercussions still reverberate through the Columbus Government Center about Judge Bobby Johnston's unexpected resignation from the Muscogee Superior Court.

An opening on Superior Court always creates excitement at the courthouse — especially one preceded by a secret visit from an investigator with the Judicial Qualification Commission.

Adding to these whispers is the growing probability that the investigator will be coming back to Columbus to ask questions about another sitting judge.

Seeing the power of the JQC up close and personal sends out shock waves. This small, underfunded Constitutional agency can put the fear of God in any man or woman in the court system. They can't scalp a judge but they sure can give him or her a haircut.

We will never know what Investigator Richard Hyde said to Johnston while they sat in the judge's car in the Government Center parking garage. What we do know is that a letter of resignation went to the governor that very afternoon.

If Hyde comes back to town, he will find that his face and name and his get-to-the-point style is well known in Muscogee County. So is his effectiveness.

The opening on the bench already changed the race for State Senate District 29. Attorney Ron Mullins announced he is shutting down his campaign so he will be available for the judgeship if it should be offered by Gov. Sonny Perdue. That leaves attorney Josh McKoon as the only candidate to succeed Sen. Seth Harp.

It also led to Judge Frank Jordan assuming Johnston's role in ongoing hearings involving convicted Stocking Strangler Carlton Gary.

Our lame duck governor soon could find himself even more involved in the local judiciary.

A successor has been chosen for U.S. Magistrate Mallon Faircloth's position and it could be announced at any moment. Smart money is on Municipal Court Judge Steve Hyles.

If Hyles leaves that seat, Perdue will fill that one too.

(Rest assured, neither job will go to Jim Butler — a longtime adversary of the governor who also practices law here.)

Meanwhile, if you should happen to see Richard Hyde of the JQC back in town, call your neighborhood Superior Court judge. Surely someone will want to take him to dinner.