Supreme Court Ruling Blocks Workman's Impeachment Trial, Says Overall Process Was Flawed

This is a developing story and may be updated.

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals says the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Margaret Workman is unconstitutional. A writ of prohibition was granted Thursday, effectively blocking Workman’s impeachment trial from moving forward.

The court ruled that Workman and other justices had no jurisdiction over the alleged violations in which they were named in articles of impeachment.

The ruling also says the impeachment process was flawed — in that a resolution was never fully adopted, although individual articles of impeachment had been approved.

Workman’s attorney, Marc Williams, says the ruling will block Workman’s trial from moving forward. He also says it may have implications for all of the impeachment trials.

Senate spokeswoman Jacque Bland says they have received the court’s order and are planning an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Williams says he will vigorously defend their position if an appeal takes place.

Bland says the Court of Impeachment will still convene at 9 a.m. Monday.

Acting justices on the case were James Matish, Lucas Bloom, Jacob Reger, Rudolph Murensky and Ronald Wilson.