Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal, et al.
In denying a recusal motion directed at him, a judge who had
previously received generous campaign contributions linked directly to
the board chair and principal officers of the corporation in the case
before him violated the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. It is unconstitutional for a state supreme court justice to sit on
a case involving the financial interests of a major donor to that
judge's election campaign.
