Confirmation turns into a family spat

Testimony in the appointment of Summit County Attorney Robert Adkins took a bizarre turn as an estranged mother and son turned a Senate confirmation hearing into a family spat.

In its second day of testimony, the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee once again heard testimony both for and against Adkins being appointed as a 3rd District judge.

The hearing is to continue today.

In addition to citizens, Adkins himself testified Monday to defend himself against allegations that he would not be fit for the bench.

Marie Rosenbloom testified that as Summit County attorney, Adkins failed to protect her from her late and abusive husband. In testimony that meandered from complaints of her brain injury to concerns that she was in danger of retaliation for speaking out, Rosenbloom alleged that Adkins covered up and discouraged investigation into her husband of 33 years and the alleged abuse she suffered at his hands.

"When Robert Adkins was prosecutor, it was his duty to prosecute elderly abuse," Rosenbloom told the committee. "I've lost my wealth, my house, my car, my jewelry, everything."

Just after her testimony, the woman's son, David Rosenbloom, told the committee to excuse her mother's claims and that she suffers from "a slight disagreement with reality."

David Rosenbloom apologized to the committee for his mother's comments and said that many Park City police and officials have put up with his mother's "false and slanderous allegations" for more than 15 years.

"Bob has been nothing but cordial to my mother," said David Rosenbloom and added that he trusted Adkins as a judge to even hear his "matricide" case.

In sworn testimony heard Friday, Adkins was accused by a father of failing to prosecute in an auto/bicycle accident that claimed the life of his daughter in September 2000.

Barry Topham said Adkins did not contact him until two months after his daughter's death to talk about charging the driver with negligent homicide.

Jeffery Topham, the brother of victim Susanna Topham, said the circumstances of his sister's death was very similar to that of Josie Johnson, who was killed while biking up Big Cottonwood Canyon last September. In Johnson's case, the driver was charged with misdemeanor negligent homicide.