Judge Hartley surgery delays 27 local cases

Andy Jackson: Freedom Newspapers

Ninth Judicial District Judge Teddy Hartley will be off the bench for at least two weeks while he recovers from back surgery he had on Tuesday.

Hartley’s case load has been rescheduled— 27 cases have been delayed to later dates, according to Karen Hill, Hartley’s administrative assistant .

Some of Hartley’s cases have been pushed forward two months.

The sentencing hearing for Timothy Walton, who pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and paralyzing a Clovis man in July 2004, was postponed from today to March 1, said prosecutor Fred Van Soelen.

Hartley is in hospital care, recovering well, and in excellent health, Hill said.

The surgery was recommended by Hartley’s physician and is the first and only surgery the judge is scheduled to undergo this year, Hill said.

Hartley’s back had been aggravating him over the last several months, and he is expected to make a full recovery, Hill said.