Fayette judge sues lawmakers, says impeachment hearings violate due process rights

A Fayette County circuit judge facing impeachment has filed a lawsuit against Kentucky legislators to stop the proceedings, which she claims are illegal.

Fayette Circuit Judge Julie Muth Goodman filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Franklin Circuit Court.

In January, former Republican lawmaker Killian Timoney filed the petition against Goodman claiming she abused her judicial authority and undermined public confidence in the courts in a way that constitutes “misdemeanors in office.” His petition mentions six cases handled by Goodman.

Goodman’s lawsuit lists Timoney as a defendant, and says his petition’s filing is deficient for the committee to consider. The judge’s lawsuit also claims the impeachment hearings — one of which has been conducted in executive session — are illegal.

The judge provided the legislative impeachment committee a response to Timoney’s petition in February, and she also sent a letter seeking to dismiss the proceedings in March, but the committee has not responded to the request, according to Goodman’s lawsuit.

Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Middletown, is also a defendant in Goodman’s suit in his capacity as chair of the 2026 Regular Session Impeachment Committee. Speaker of the House David Osborne, R-Prospect, is also a defendant.

What Goodman’s lawsuit says

In the 69-page lawsuit filed March 11 and in response to the petition, Goodman says Timoney’s original filing was incomplete because it was not notarized and did not include an affidavit.

“A ‘Killian Timoney’ signed and dated the Petition, but failed to include a sworn or verified affidavit,” Goodman’s petition reads. “...They are, in effect, anonymous.”

The committee accepted the petition and discussed it at a Feb. 26 hearing in closed session. As a result of that hearing, Nemes said a public hearing would be conducted Monday, March 16.

However, Goodman claims the impeachment proceedings violate her due process rights. The lawsuit states future proceedings will also violate her rights by limiting the amount of time she can speak and restricting her ability to question witnesses called against her.

Goodman’s lawsuit outlines how the committee plans to hold the hearing, which she called a “trial by ambush.”

In a letter addressed to Goodman’s attorney, the judge was notified she would not be allowed to call any witnesses or present records without approval from the committee. In addition, Goodman or her attorney will only be allowed to speak for 10 minutes, and she cannot question witnesses called against her.

Thursday afternoon, Nemes said Goodman would be given an unlimited amount of time to testify, but the 10 minutes would be for her or her attorney to share concerns about the process.

According to the lawsuit, witnesses set to participate include Fayette commonwealth’s attorney Kimberly Baird, whose office Goodman has consistently accused of misconduct. Baird has turned over a written statement and “hundreds” of supporting documents, according to Nemes.

Commonwealth’s attorney asks for Goodman be impeached

In her 11-paged letter to the committee, Baird requested legislators impeach Goodman, who Baird said could not be impartial toward prosecutors.

“In review of Judge Goodman’s behavior on the bench, there is a true appearance of partiality, and no public confidence in the integrity of the judicial process, for this office or any victims that come before her,” Baird wrote. “That trust and confidence cannot be restored.”

Baird supplied nearly 400 pages of court transcripts, which she said would demonstrate the “rude” and “condescending” nature of Goodman’s comments to prosecutors in her court.

Additionally, Baird said her office treats victims and their families different when they appear in Goodman’s court by preparing victims for insensitive comments from Goodman herself.

“We extend plea offers differently in her division as well and participate in mediations to avoid jury trials and minimize the decisions she must make in a case as she unjustly impacts case outcomes,” Baird wrote. “When she imposes her own biased thoughts on a case, victims continue to be traumatized, the judicial system does not operate as it should, and the public trust suffers.”

The second witness, Doug Botkin, is the husband of a woman killed in a hit-and-run. The defendant in that case, Cornell Thomas, was charged with murder. Goodman, who presided, dismissed the murder indictment against Thomas, saying the prosecutors’ office lacked proof Thomas acted wantonly.

The court of appeals later overturned Goodman’s ruling. This was among the cases highlighted in Timoney’s impeachment petition.

While Goodman’s impeachment hearing is scheduled for March 16. A Franklin Circuit Court judge has not ruled on Goodman’s lawsuit request.

The Herald-Leader has attempted to reach Timoney about the latest proceedings.

“Judge Goodman acted appropriately in all of these cases,” said Goodman’s attorney, Robert McBride. “She acted on the law as it was presented to her... that is what we expect judges to do in Kentucky.”

Laura Leigh Goins, chief of staff for media relations with the House Majority Caucus, said neither Osborne or Nemes could comment about the impeachment proceedings.

This story was originally published March 12, 2026 at 2:27 PM.

Taylor Six

Lexington Herald-Leader

Taylor Six is the criminal justice reporter at the Herald-Leader. She was born and raised in Lexington attending Lafayette High School. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 2018 with a degree in journalism. She previously worked as the government reporter for the Richmond Register.