Judicial Panelists Delay Governor’s Nominee to Court

The Commission on Judicial Appointments tentatively rejected a nominee of Gov. George Deukmejian’s to the state Court of Appeal Monday.

Fresno Superior Court Judge Frank J. Creede Jr. was the first of 16 Deukmejian nominees to appellate courts to be blocked by the commission.

The commission criticized Creede for delaying for up to 400 days rulings on 42 cases while he was on the Superior Court. State law says cases must be decided within 90 days after final arguments.

Two of the commission members, Chief Justice Rose Elizabeth Bird and Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp, voted to hold up the appointment until the matter is investigated by the Judicial Performance Commission. The third commission member, Court of Appeal Justice George A. Brown, voted to confirm Creede.