Letter to the editor - Oct. 28

Chandler has proved fair judge

I wrote you a letter in 2015 when Matt Chandler was appointed as our newest district court judge. I was opposed to Susana Martinez appointing someone who had such a one-sided career, mainly as a prosecutor, and very little experience as a defense lawyer.

I am an honorable person, and when someone makes a mistake, I believe the honorable thing to do is to own up, apologize if necessary, and move on.

I made a mistake by misjudging Matt Chandler. I have noticed that Judge Chandler has been unbiased, even handed, and honorable in all of the instances that I have looked at. And although the times to which I am referring are cases that people I know have appeared in front of him, usually as defendants, he has proved himself to be a fair judge to me.

I would like anyone who is reading this letter to know that neither I nor anyone I know has anything to gain by me saying this, but I feel simply that I should own my mistake.

I am sorry for prejudging Judge Chandler, and for making the determination that he would not be a good judge. Now, I truly believe he is an honest, unbiased, fair judge, and I hope he accepts my apology for misjudging him and speaking out before I gave him a fair chance.

Shane May

Clovis