this post was submitted on 31 Dec 2024
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Summary

Judge Stephen Yekel, 74, died by suicide in his courtroom on his last day in office after losing a re-election bid.

He was found Tuesday morning at Effingham County State Courthouse, with investigators believing the incident occurred late Monday or early Tuesday.

Yekel, appointed in 2022, had recently attempted to resign but was denied by Governor Brian Kemp.

He was also facing a wrongful termination lawsuit from a former court employee.

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[–] FlyingSquid 138 points 5 days ago (5 children)

Yekel was appointed to the state court in 2022. He recently attempted to resign from his position, but was denied by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, according to WJCL.

I don't understand how that is legal. You can force someone to keep a job whether they want to or not?

[–] [email protected] 65 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Well, GA is employment at will so, unless there's some special law for judges I don't know about, I'm guessing the 'rejection' is more symbolic than anything. My best guess is that he was about to be fired anyway and Kemp didn't want him to get away with acting like it was on his own terms. It would be good to hear a lawyer's take on it, though.

[–] grue 28 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

Well, GA is employment at will so, unless there’s some special law for judges I don’t know about, I’m guessing the ‘rejection’ is more symbolic than anything.

"At-will employment" just means they're kneecapping the unions. It doesn't mean an individual's job can't be governed by an actual negotiated contract with terms different from "either party may end the agreement at any time for any reason without prior notice;" that's merely the default when no such contract exists. Actors, for example, often have actual employment contracts so they can't just abandon their portrayal of a recurring character without consequences.

I don't know if there are special employment terms for elected judges (or elected officials in general) in GA either, but I don't know that it would necessarily require a "law" (as opposed to administrative rule or even just convention) and I'm guessing I think it's more likely than you do.

[–] MirthfulAlembic 13 points 5 days ago (1 children)

At-will has little to do with curbing union power. You are thinking of right to work laws.

At-will is, as you mentioned, the default that absent a contract either party can unilaterally terminate the employment relationship except for a reason explicitly prohibited by law, like due to being part of a protected class.

Right to work laws harm unions because they allow individuals in a workplace under union contract to opt out of paying union dues while still benefitting from the agreement, draining the union of resources so it cannot be effective in the future.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 4 days ago

At-will has little to do with curbing union power. You are thinking of right to work laws.

At-will is, as you mentioned, the default that absent a contract either party can unilaterally terminate the employment relationship

If you don't think this curbs union power, then I can't even think of something to say here.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 5 days ago

Probably wanted him to win reelection so he could place a temp replacement, instead of losing the seat. I have no idea if that's a thing for judge seats in Georgia...

[–] MrNesser 20 points 5 days ago

Probably something about resigning in grace rather than being fired in grief.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 5 days ago (2 children)

isnt forcing someone to go into work against their wishes just false imprisonment?

[–] FlyingSquid 8 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I'm not sure what law would cover it, but I can't believe this is legal.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Given the nature of the job it's probably something to do with a duty to finish pending work or such. Much like can't just quit the military until your contract is up or you face court marshel.

[–] 4z01235 13 points 5 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 8 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Ok, so the court's marshel will bring you to the court martial, damn homonyms...

[–] 4z01235 15 points 5 days ago

The marshal of the court :-)

[–] MsPenguinette 3 points 5 days ago

I mean, Jury’s can be forced to do their part so I guess I’m not too surprised that the other parts of the court system can have a compulsory component

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago

Sounds like slavery.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago

I think resigning has some difference from quitting?