BY JANE PRENDERGAST
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON -- They're both prosecutors with a decade of legal experience.
There are lots of legal similarities between Bill Crockett and Doug Grothaus, the two candidates for a Kenton district court judgeship. Those commonalities could leave the two men with very little wiggle room to separate themselves in voters' minds.
But they're trying, and here's how:
Mr. Grothaus says his trial experience is stronger and more extensive. The assistant commonwealth's attorney said he is accustomed to "taking cases from even before the arrest all the way through trial and sentencing. I think that's very unique and very good experience for a judge."
Mr. Crockett, chief district court prosecutor, said the law isn't everything it takes to make a good judge. He says voters should take note of his previous experience in business and all that he learned as a parent helping to raise his children while he worked and went to law school at night.
Both are going door-to-door to get their messages out.
"Neither Bill nor I are a household name in this county, by any means," said Mr. Grothaus, 35, of Covington.
For years as an assistant to Commonwealth's Attorney Don Buring, Mr. Grothaus has been assigned to handle virtually all of the sex-related cases, things like rape and sexual abuse of children. It's a job he says most of his colleagues will readily admit they don't want.
"They're very difficult cases to do," he said. "You're dealing with victims less than 12 a lot of times. It takes, I think, a very special person to handle them as a police officer, as a doctor, and as a prosecutor.
"You have to be very patient, and they're the most emotionally draining cases you can have."
He said Mr. Crockett's duties in district court are much simpler than handling a major felony case from start to finish. Mr. Crockett disagrees. He said his daily time in district court makes him uniquely qualified to step right in the courtroom door as a judge and start to work. He said his experience also includes management of other attorneys in the county attorney's office and other duties.
"I feel that I had the ability to move into the job immediately," said Mr. Crockett, 47, of Fort Wright. "I didn't file just to get my feet wet and get some name recognition.
"Seventy-five percent of what I'll be doing is exactly what I'm doing now -- the criminal misdemeanor docket. I'll step right in."
He also points out that he entered the race last August, when he thought his opponent might be veteran Judge William Schmaedecke. That, Mr. Crockett said, shows he really wants the job no matter what.
Both are touting various endorsements and other support. Mr. Grothaus is endorsed by four local fraternal orders of police and the Covington firefighters union. But Mr. Crockett points to the local bar association's survey of fellow lawyers, in which he fared better.
The winner replaces Judge Schmaedecke, who is retiring.
