Retired Judge Vows to Fight Allegations

FULLERTON — A retired Orange County judge, accused of four counts of misconduct during court proceedings, refused to settle Thursday on charges that he yelled at attorneys, fell asleep on the bench, sold his book through the court and told a sexual joke during a trial.

The state Commission on Judicial Performance last month formally opened a disciplinary inquiry into these allegations against former Superior Court Judge James Ross. In a letter to Ross, the commission also offered to drop three of the charges if Ross pleads guilty to the one accusing him of exhibiting impartial and angry demeanor to attorneys in a personal injury case.

But Ross, the great-grandson of Jesse James, wrote a reply to the commission Thursday formally refusing to concede to any of the accusations.

“I will not back down,” Ross, 70, said. “As a direct descendant of Jesse James, no one in our family backs down.”

From his Fullerton home, Ross said Thursday that he is requesting that the commission expedite his trial. A 12-year veteran of the court, Ross contended that he has suffered major losses since the investigation began.

“It’s been 20 months of hell,” he said.

Victoria Henley, the commission’s director and chief counsel, said Ross himself has created some delay in the start of his trial.

After he was notified of the charges, Ross was given a March 5 deadline to respond, she said. Ross, instead, requested an extension, and was granted another 30 days.

Once a former judge completely responds, the commission then appoints three special masters, or retired judges, who will hold the trial, she said.