jmccann@heraldsun.com; 419-6601
DURHAM -- A second expected judicial departure from Superior Court has caused maneuvering in the forthcoming 2010 election season that officially launches Monday at noon when candidates are eligible to put legitimacy behind their declarations to seek elected positions.
The filing period ends Feb. 26 at noon.
Don't look for Durham County Superior Court Judge Kenneth Titus' name on this year's ballot. He had said in December he would likely seek re-election, but changed his mind.
He's leaving the bench, but that's not to say he's retiring completely.
"I'm young enough to do something different," said Titus, 58, who plans to complete his term that expires in December.
Durham County Superior Court Judge Ronald Stephens already had announced he wouldn't seek re-election. Stephens has spoken in terms of retirement.
Titus' plans prompted Durham lawyer Chris Shella to change his. Shella had announced his intention to run for a District Court judgeship. But he said his skill set actually is better suited for Superior Court.
An effective Superior Court judge needs to have integrity, patience and a thorough knowledge of the law, Titus said.
Shella, 38, said in New York he practiced civil law on both the plaintiffs' and defendants' sides. The attorney said he represented a serial killer in Baltimore. And these days he goes to Washington, D.C., to defend the former Duke University administrator -- Frank Lombard -- who last year made headlines after getting arrested for sex crimes involving his adopted 5-year-old son.
When Shella found out Titus was retiring, he considered his own experience that included covering murder trials up and down the east coast, and "I realized I was a very good fit" for a Superior Court judgeship, the lawyer said.
"It's very simple: When God opens a door, you step through it," Shella said.
Judicial candidates for Superior Court don't run for particular seats but instead campaign toward finishing among the top-three vote getters.
Superior Court Judge Jim Hardin Jr. said he will seek re-election.
Chief District Court Judge Elaine Bushfan announced her intention to seek a Superior Court judgeship after speaking with Stephens about his retirement plans.
Shella said he did similarly with Titus, who's been a judge for 25 years. Six of those years were spent as a Superior Court judge. Prior to that, Titus was a District Court judge for 17 ¬
