Updated at 2:59 p.m., Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Hawaii judge fails to win Senate confirmation
Advertiser Staff
The state Senate today voted 16-9 against confirming Randal Lee, Gov. Linda Lingle's nominee for the state Intermediate Court of Appeals.Lee, an O'ahu Circuit Court judge and former Honolulu deputy prosecutor, was praised as skilled and dedicated by state Attorney General Mark Bennett and Honolulu Prosecutor Peter Carlisle and several defense attorneys. But other attorneys questioned whether he has the experience for the appeals court after two years on the Circuit Court bench.
The Hawai'i State Bar Association issued a rare split decision on whether Lee was qualified for the appeals court.
Lingle will have to choose another nominee.
