From: Hon. David D. King <DKing@courts.state.nh.us>
Sent: Friday, November 13, 2020 4:22 PM
To: Master Bruce F. Dalpra <BDalPra@courts.state.nh.us>
Subject: Albrecht hearing November 6, 2020

Bruce:

I am sorry to have to be writing this email but I’m sure you will understand that I have an obligation under the Code to deal with these situations. On November 6, 2020 you had what I believe was a telephonic hearing in what is obviously a very difficult matter, Albrecht and Albrecht. One of the parties requested a copy of the audio recordings from the hearing, which was provided, and subsequently ordered a transcript.

When the transcriptionist from escribers was preparing the transcript, she brought to her supervisor’s attention comments that “the judge” made during the proceedings. The supervisor in turn reached out to court administration. I am attaching two examples that were sent to my attention, both email excerpts from escribers staff as well as snippets of the actual audio. The audio is difficult, but not impossible, to hear on our equipment but apparently very clear on the more sophisticated equipment used by escribers. Obviously I do not know anything about this case, other than the fact that it has a very large number of docket entries, which in and of itself is an indication that it involves difficult issues, and probably difficult parties. For that reason it isn’t clear whether your comments indicate a bias against one of the parties or are just comments made in frustration. I think we can both agree that they do not demonstrate the patience or dignity expected of judicial officers under Rule 2.8.

I am hoping that we can speak about this next week after you have a chance to review what I have attached. (The 2 notes pasted below are from the emails received from escribers.)

David

David D. King
Administrative Judge
New Hampshire Circuit Court
1 Granite Place, Suite N400
Concord, N.H. 03301
Telephone (603) 271-6418




I thought you should be aware, per our transcriber regarding the above order:

So everyone is on Zoom/telephonic for this hearing, other than the judge. The mic is right next to the judge and I can hear everything. He talks to his clerk and himself a lot and makes some pretty bad remarks about the parties and the commentary the parties make.

For instance, he whispers to himself, right in the mic, "who gives a fuck" when the witness is answering a question, or calls them all a bunch or morons, and so much. It actually creates it to where I can't hear what the witness is saying because he's talking into the mic, I think, completely unaware of what he's doing.

Here are a few examples of time stamps where you can clearly hear the Court:

"Who gives a fuck?" - **12:28:16

"Of course not, they're a bunch of morons." - **1:45:59