The jurisdiction shift - which critics say is the type of deal that for decades defined business on Beacon Hill - sets up yet another showdown between the judicial branch and legislative leaders over control of the state’s court system. Over the years, those power struggles have led to scandals, criminal investigations, indictments, and legendary political yarns.
If the Chelsea court is moved to the Boston Municipal Court jurisdiction, Lynda M. Connolly, the leader of the state district court system and the person who disciplined Chelsea’s clerk magistrate Kevin G. Murphy for failing to maintain custody of three handguns, would lose control of that courthouse.
To become law, the court amendment still needs to be approved by the Senate and by Governor Deval Patrick. It was bundled with scores of others into a package created by the House leadership, avoiding any close scrutiny. Few if any members outside the House leadership were aware of the proposal.
Yes, NOTHING HAS CHANGED in MASSACHUSETTS!
Its sudden appearance as an amendment to the $32 billion House budget also came as a surprise to Robert A. Mulligan, the state court’s chief justice for administration and management, as well as to Connolly, the administrator, people within the court system confirmed.
When he learned about the plan, Mulligan wrote a letter to the House leadership asking them to put the brakes on the proposal. His pleas were ignored....
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I just thank the Lord Democrats run Massachusetts because they are for the little guy and look out for the public interest.
