The Nation - News from March 11, 1988

Arizona Gov. Evan Mecham’s chief defense attorney accused the state Senate’s GOP leader of “overwhelming” bias and said he should be disqualified as a juror in the Republican governor’s impeachment trial. Jerris Leonard attacked state Sen. Robert Usdane during debate over the testimony of Mecham aide Ray Russell, the fourth witness called by the defense. Prosecutors and Usdane objected when Mecham’s attorneys questioned Russell about his knowledge of an alleged death threat by Mecham aide Lee Watkins against former aide Donna Carlson, saying they had been told Russell’s testimony would be limited to other subjects. “I would suggest to this particular senator that he ought to show a little more impartiality,” Leonard said. “This particular member of this court should be disqualified. His bias and prejudice are overwhelming.”