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SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA No. 98-O-1735

IN RE: JUDGE GARY A. BOWERS

ON RECOMMENDATION FOR DISCIPLINE FROM THE JUDICIARY COMMISSION OF LOUISIANA

CALOGERO, C.J.* This matter comes before the court on the recommendation of the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana that Judge Gary A. Bowers of the First Judicial District Court for the Parish of Caddo, State of Louisiana, be publicly censured, suspended from office for ten days without pay, and ordered to reimburse the Commission the costs incurred in the investigation and prosecution of this case. The Judiciary Commission conducted an investigatory hearing, made findings of fact and law, and determined that respondent violated Canons 1, 2 and 3A (1), (2) and (3) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by engaging in a pattern of abusive and discourteous behavior towards those appearing in his courtroom. After reviewing the record, we find that some of the charges against Judge Bowers are supported by clear and convincing evidence. We agree with the Judiciary Commission that certain elements of Judge Bowers' behavior warrant public censure and an assessment of costs, but decline to impose the recommended ten day suspension without pay.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY Respondent, Judge Gary A. Bowers, took office as a judge of the First Judicial District Court for the Parish of Caddo on January 2, 1991. Since that time, he has been assigned to a section of the court that hears only domestic cases. The Judiciary Commission initiated proceedings against Judge Bowers after receiving written complaints from Kathleen D. Norris (formerly Kathleen Scott), a litigant in the case of Scott v. Scott, No. 390,536, First Judicial District Court, Parish of Caddo. While investigating Mrs. Norris' complaint, questions arose concerning Judge Bowers' handling of two additional cases, Shields v. Shields, No. 404,438, First Judicial District Court, Parish of Caddo and Pollard v. Pollard, No. 401,965, First Judicial District Court, Parish of Caddo. The Commission
*

Johnson, J., not on panel, recused. Rule IV, Part 2,

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