People of Guam v Tennessen [2010] GUSC 12; 2010 Guam 12 (9 September 2010)

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF GUAM

PEOPLE OF GUAM
Plaintiff-Appellee

v

GENE A. TENNESSEN,
Defendant-Appellant

DOUGLAS B. MOYLAN
Real Party in Interest

OPINION

Filed: September 9, 2010
Cite as: 2010 Guam 12

Supreme Court Case No.: CRA09-012

Superior Court Case No.: CF0292-02

Appeal from the Superior Court of Guam
Argued and submitted on May 14, 2007
Hagåtña, Guam

Appearing for Plaintiff-Appellee: Marianne Woloschuk, Esq. Assistant Attorney General Office of the Attorney General 287 W O'Brien Dr. Hagåtña, GU 96910	Appearing for Defendant-Appellant: F. Randall Cunliffe, Esq. 210 Archbishop Flores St., Suite 200 Hagåtña, GU 96910
	Appearing for Real Party in Interest: Curtis C. Van de veld, Esq. Second Flr., Historical Bldg. 123 Hernan Cortes Ave. Hagåtña, GU 96910

BEFORE: Miguel S. Demapan, Chief Justice Pro Tempore; Alexandro C. Castro, Associate Justice Pro Tempore; John A. Manglona, Associate Justice Pro Tempore.

PER CURIAM:

[1] This matter comes before the Court on the request of Appellant (and self-styled Real Party in Interest) Douglas Moylan to disqualify Chief Justice Robert J. Torres, Associate Justice F. Philip Carbullido, and Justice Pro Tempore Richard H. Benson from presiding over this appeal. Moylan seeks the disqualification of all three justices pursuant to 7 GCA § 6107 (which allows "any party to [the] action or proceeding" to file a statement of objection to a judge or justice) and 7 GCA § 6105 (which sets forth the substantive grounds for judicial disqualification).[1] 7GCA § 6107 (2005). For the reasons discussed below, this panel is reluctant to characterize Moylan as a "party" within the meaning of 7 GCA § 6107 and thereby confer statutory standing to seek disqualification where none exists. Given the unique circumstances presented in this case, however, we find it judicially prudent to address the merits of Moylan's disqualification request. We hold that Moylan has stated no grounds under 7 GCA § 6105 meriting the disqualification of any of the justices. Accordingly, Moylan's statements of objection to the justices' participation in this appeal are hereby DISMISSED.