► Judge William Kephart of Las Vegas; Dumbo, serial offender Print
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Judge William Kephart of Las Vegas; Dumbo, serial offender

 

The state of Nevada presented William Kephart with a law license in 1988 after he graduated from the Cleveland-Marshall School of Law.

 

It should be noted that Billy has had his significant snout firmly implanted in the public trough for the past twenty-nine (29) years. Apparently, no self-respecting law firm in the Las Vegas area was about to offer Billy a good paying job.

 

The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline found Billy guilty of the following misconduct.

  • Failed to comply with the law
  • Failed to act in manner promoting confidence in the judiciary
  • Improperly opined in public about the guilty of defendant while that defendant was claiming her innocence in pending judicial proceedings
  • Failed to perform judicial duties competently (Dumbo)
  • Failed to act with due diligence (slacker)
  • Improperly made public statements on a pending case

In addition to Billy’s misconduct as aforementioned, he has a history of misconduct, which is as follows:

  • Sanctioned for making improper comments on 2002 criminal case in which he prosecuted Kirstin Lobato while employed as an assistant county prosecutor
  • During pendency of Lobato’s appeal, Billy gave a media interview in which he said the case “was completely justice done”
  • Led prosecution of Fred Steese, drifter convicted of murdering Vegas trapeze artist, who was later exonerated when evidence proving his innocence was found in Billy’s files
  • Nevada Supreme Court noted prosecutorial misconduct in at least five (5) cases Billy prosecuted over the period of about 12 years
  • In one criminal trial Billy improperly instructed the jury they needed only a “gut feeling” to find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt
  • Billy choked a witness on the stand during a criminal trial

As a direct consequence of his misconduct, the Cheerleaders for Judicial Misfits sitting on the Nevada Supreme Court punished Billy the Serial Offender by gifting him with a complimentary reprimand.

As we speak (ca. December 2017), Billy continues to sit as a judge on the Eight Judicial District Court in Las Vegas, Nevada.