Views mixed on Starcher's decision: Tort reform advocate says it's obvious justice should step aside; WVU professor contends that it's not a clear-cut issue

DAILY MAIL BUSINESS EDITOR

A tort reform advocate said State Supreme Court Justice LarryStarcher's refusal to step aside in a case involving Massey Energy"is a great example of why West Virginia has earned our label of'Judicial Hellhole."'

A West Virginia University law professor, meanwhile, said theissue is not clear-cut.

Massey subsidiary Marfork Coal Co. on Monday said Starcher shouldremove himself from a case involving the company because Starchercalled Massey Chief Executive Officer Don Blankenship "a clown" andsaid he was "stupid."

Starcher's comments came after Blankenship told an audience atWest Virginia State University last week that he has …