Panel reprimands Cecil County judge in threats on officials

The Maryland Judicial Disabilities Commission reprimanded Cecil County Circuit Judge Donaldson C. Cole Jr. yesterday for threatening the political careers of two Cecil County Commissioners after a public meeting.

Cole told commissioners Oakley Sumpter and Lawrence Truslow December that he intended to see they would be "finished politically" after they voted to extend water, sewer and gas lines along the U.S. 40 corridor in part of Cecil County, according to the disabilities commission. Cole had opposed the measure.

Cole, a former state's attorney who was appointed 16 years ago, was cited for violating judicial rules that bar the appearance of impropriety and for engaging in partisan politics when he was not a candidate.

Pub Date: 5/02/97