Sick judge transfers Scientology trial load

By WILLIAM R. LEVESQUE

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 16, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- The chief judge of the Pinellas-Pasco judicial circuit may have to extend her medical leave beyond Feb. 28, her scheduled return.

In another sign that Judge Susan Schaeffer might be too ill to return, Schaeffer last Thursday transferred the criminal case against the Church of Scientology, one of the most time-consuming and complex in the circuit, to another judge.

She also has shed other duties, including withdrawing as a teacher at a judicial teaching school.

Bill Lockhart, administrator for Pinellas-Pasco courts, declined to disclose Schaeffer's illness. But he said it is not considered life-threatening.

"It's expected that she will have a reduced workload when she comes back," Lockhart said in an interview on Tuesday. "Judge Schaeffer is one of the most energetic people on earth. Lately, she's had more burdens than you can shake a stick at. She's sick. She needs time."

Her return "may take longer than either you or I can guess," Lockhart said.

The Scientology case, which is scheduled for trial in October, was transferred to Judge Brandt C. Downey III.

Downey said he has not spoken to Schaeffer, 58, and knows neither why the case was transferred to him or what her illness is.

Scientologist Lisa McPherson died Dec. 5, 1995, after 17 days in the care of Scientology staffers in Clearwater. The church's Clearwater branch has been charged with abuse and illegally practicing medicine on her.

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