Marquitta Portman
261 Pioneer Trail
Marietta, GA  30068-3470

October 16, 2000

The Honorable Robert J. James, Administrative Judge
            of the Seventh Administrative District
Superior Court of Douglas County
8700 Hospital Road
Douglasville, GA  30134

        RE: Civil Action File 99-1-7941-24 Portman vs. Kreeger, et.al

Dear Judge James:

On Friday, October 6, I received a message on my home recorder from Judge Rufe McCombs, requesting that I call her. Again, on Tuesday, October 10, I received a similar message through my co-worker, again from someone identified as Judge McCombs. I sincerely wanted to return the calls, but believe that the Law prohibits me from calling a judge or from engaging in such conversation. However, I did write her a brief explanation, in the hopes that she will understand the cause of my seeming rudeness and my hesitancy to participate in an undocumented conversation with a voice I don't recognize.

As administrative judge, will you answer the following procedural questions? 

• Am I permitted to take phone calls and communicate with a trier? If so, under what circumstances? 

• Have I violated the Law by responding with my brief letter? Is this letter to you a violation of the Law?

• To which court do I look for a decision concerning Judge McComb's jurisdiction or disqualification?

I hope you understand that my challenge to Judge McCombs' participation as trier is because of the manner in which she was assigned this case, not because of any act or omission on her part.  

This entire legal situation has now taken five years of my life, with no apparent resolution on the horizon. One would think it must be extremely difficult to comprehend, yet the case is very simple. I am ready for trial by jury. I seek judicial expediency in assigning this case to the proper court and the proper trier. 

Sincerely,

Marquitta Portman
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