John Thomas Marten (born November 24, 1951)[1] is a former United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Kansas.
J. Thomas Marten | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Kansas | |
| In office May 1, 2017 – May 1, 2021 | |
| Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Kansas | |
| In office April 22, 2014 – May 1, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Kathryn H. Vratil |
| Succeeded by | Julie A. Robinson |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Kansas | |
| In office January 4, 1996 – May 1, 2017 | |
| Appointed by | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Patrick F. Kelly |
| Succeeded by | John W. Broomes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Thomas Marten November 24, 1951 Topeka, Kansas, U.S. |
| Education | Washburn University (BA, JD) |
Education and career
editMarten was born in Topeka, Kansas. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washburn University in 1973 and a Juris Doctor from Washburn University School of Law in 1976. He was a law clerk to former Associate Justice Tom C. Clark of the Supreme Court of the United States while Clark had senior status and was a visiting judge on several United States Courts of Appeals from 1976 to 1977. He was in private practice in Omaha, Nebraska from 1977 to 1980, then in Minneapolis, Minnesota until 1981, and then in McPherson, Kansas until 1996.
Federal judicial service
editOn October 18, 1995, Marten was nominated by President Bill Clinton to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Kansas vacated by Patrick F. Kelly. Marten was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 2, 1996, and received his commission on January 4, 1996. He served as Chief Judge from April 22, 2014 to May 1, 2017. He assumed senior status on May 1, 2017. He retired from the bench on May 1, 2021.[2]
Notable case
editOn August 15, 2013, Judge Marten held that an abortion opponent's letter to a Wichita doctor stating that someone might place an explosive under her car, absent sufficient contextual evidence indicating an imminent threat, is constitutionally protected speech and not a "true threat" under existing law.[3] Judge Marten noted that the government supplied no evidence that actual violence against Dr. Mila Means was likely or imminent, especially since after receiving the letter the doctor changed plans to provide abortion services in Kansas.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Hearings before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourth Congress, First Session, on Confirmations of Appointees to the Federal Judiciary, July 18; August 3; September 28; October 24; November 30; December 19, 1995. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1997. p. 1136.
- ^ J. Thomas Marten at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
- ^ "United States v. Dillard, 898 F. Supp. 2d 1169 (D. Kan. 2013)".
- ^ "Judge sides with abortion opponent over alleged threat - Ruling says no evidence of real threat provided". Topeka Capital Journal. August 15, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
Sources
edit- J. Thomas Marten at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
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