The House Judiciary Committee met shortly following the House of Delegate’s adjournment Tuesday to start the impeachment process.
On Tuesday, the West Virginia Legislature convened its second special session. The House immediately took up and adopted House Resolution 201, investigating allegations of impeachable offenses against the Chief Justice and justices of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.
The House Judiciary Committee is tasked with determining evidence to see if impeachable offenses have occurred.
Members heard from committee attorney Brian Casto, who presented a history of the impeachment process and detailed how the process works.
Legislators also heard from Marc Harman, who served in the House of Delegates during the 1989 impeachment of A. James Manchin. Harman shared his experience through that process.
“What you are about to undertake will not be pleasant but I hope you will rise to the occasion,” Harman told legislators. “What has happened has happened. I think you can define us as a state by how you handle it.”
Committee Chair Delegate John Shott, R-Mercer, said the committee will issue a subpoena to the Judicial Investigation Commission. Committee members are also scheduled to meet with the Legislative Auditor’s office.
Shott said the committee will meet as early as July 9 but no later than July 16.
